Jalandhar, Punjab: Congress MLA Pargat Singh has launched a fresh attack on the Punjab government’s much-publicised “Sikhya Kranti” campaign, alleging that the reality inside government schools is far removed from the image being presented through official advertisements.
Following a visit to Government Model Co-Educational Senior Secondary School, Urban Estate-II, Jalandhar, Pargat Singh said the condition of the school exposed serious shortcomings in the state’s education system. According to him, poor sanitation, inadequate basic infrastructure, and severe staff shortages continue to affect government schools despite repeated claims of major educational reforms by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government.
In a statement shared on social media, the former Education and Sports Minister remarked that while advertisements may create headlines, they cannot hide the reality experienced by students and teachers every day. He argued that publicity campaigns alone cannot replace meaningful improvements in educational infrastructure.
Pargat Singh said that every child in Punjab deserves access to a safe and healthy learning environment. He stressed that schools must provide clean drinking water, functional toilets, proper sanitation, sufficient classrooms, and adequate teaching and non-teaching staff. Without these basic facilities, he said, claims of an educational revolution remain incomplete.
The Congress leader maintained that genuine education reform should focus on strengthening the foundations of government schools rather than spending public resources on promotional campaigns. He called upon the Punjab government to prioritize infrastructure development, fill vacant teaching positions, and ensure that every government school meets minimum standards before celebrating achievements through advertisements.
His remarks add to the continuing political debate over the state government’s education policies. While the AAP government has highlighted renovation projects, new classrooms, and infrastructure upgrades under its “Sikhya Kranti” initiative, opposition leaders have repeatedly questioned whether these improvements have reached every government school across Punjab.
Education experts have long maintained that sustainable improvement in learning outcomes depends not only on renovated buildings but also on adequate staffing, sanitation, maintenance, availability of learning resources, and regular monitoring of school facilities. Many schools, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas, continue to face shortages of teachers and support staff despite ongoing recruitment efforts.
Pargat Singh concluded that Punjab’s children deserve quality education backed by real investment rather than publicity. He urged the government to address the gaps identified on the ground so that every student can study in a safe, clean, and well-equipped school environment.
The Punjab government has consistently defended its education reforms, stating that it has invested significantly in upgrading government schools and improving educational standards. However, opposition parties continue to demand independent assessments of school infrastructure and staffing to verify the effectiveness of these initiatives.