In a landmark moment for Punjab, the state topped the National Achievement Survey (NAS) 2024 rankings, prompting the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government to hold a state-level celebration in Sangrur on Sunday. Addressing the gathering, AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal credited the achievement to the dedication of government school teachers and principals, declaring that Punjab’s transformation has only just begun. “Our three major goals are to eliminate drugs, ensure every child gets world-class education, and guarantee employment for every youth,” he said.
Taking aim at previous governments, the AAP Chief said they failed to create the right environment, but when the AAP government did, Punjab’s educators performed miracles, turning the state into a national leader in education. “There’s a new confidence in government school students. People are saying—work against drugs is visible, and a revolution is underway in education,” he asserted. Earlier in the day, Arvind Kejriwal, along with CM Bhagwant Mann and Punjab Prabhari Manish Sisodia, attended the bhog and final prayers for late AAP MLA Dr. Kashmir Singh in Tarn Taran.
Addressing a gathering, AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal stated, “Today’s face-to-face interaction—where the Chief Minister of Punjab, senior Cabinet Ministers, top government officers, and teachers from across Punjab sit together—is nothing short of a revolution. Never before, under Congress, BJP, or Akali Dal governments prior to 2022, have teachers had such a direct dialogue with their Chief Minister and Cabinet Ministers. Many of you have served 20 to 30 years, yet no previous government ever created such a platform.”
Recalling the state of affairs before AAP came to power, Arvind Kejriwal highlighted, “Before we won the 2022 elections with your overwhelming support, CM Bhagwant Mann and I used to campaign across Punjab. Back then, we met teachers on top of water towers protesting, many teachers he had to convince to come down. Teachers—who should have been in classrooms building the future of children—were instead protesting on water towers. But today, those same teachers are in dialogue with the Chief Minister. This is a transformation.”
Celebrating Punjab’s top performance in a national survey, the AAP Chief added, “I have come from Delhi to congratulate you on the NAS (National Achievement Survey) report where Punjab has ranked number one. In 2017, Punjab was at the 29th position. This leap to the top is entirely because of the hard work of the teachers and principals.”
Acknowledging the enabling role of the government, he further added, “Of course, this would not have been possible without the environment provided by the new Punjab government. We are the ground staff. The system previously lacked this kind of support. We improved infrastructure, sent teachers for training, even abroad and to IIMs, and launched several programs that made it clear: this government is serious about education.”
Reflecting on the old stigma against government school teachers, Arvind Kejriwal recounted, “There was a time when teachers in government schools were insulted, accused of being lazy and unwilling to work. People used to say government teachers don’t teach, that lady teachers just sat under trees sewing clothes. But in Delhi, those same teachers delivered exceptional results. And here in Punjab, we didn’t import new teachers from the moon—these are the same teachers who have served for decades. The fault wasn’t yours, it was the fault of previous governments that exploited you, denied your rights, and forced you to protest when you only wanted to teach.”
Recalling a powerful anecdote from Delhi, he narrated, “After two or three years of our government in Delhi, just like the results we’re now seeing in Punjab—850 students cleared NEET, 250 cleared JEE Mains, and 44 cleared JEE Advanced—I suggested to Manish Sisodia that we should interact with these successful students. We invited around 1,500–2,000 NEET and JEE qualifiers and their parents to Thyagaraj Stadium. We randomly asked 20–25 students how they succeeded in such tough exams.”
Describing the overwhelming response from students, the AAP Chief continued, “You won’t believe it—every single student, without exception, credited their teachers. One said, ‘My biology teacher gave me extra classes.’ Another said, ‘I come from a poor family and couldn’t afford books, but my physics teacher bought them for me out of their own salary.’ Each story was about a teacher’s dedication. Teachers want to work hard and uplift their students—they simply weren’t given the right environment before.”
Summing up the change under AAP rule, Arvind Kejriwal affirmed, “Today, teachers have a government that provides that enabling environment—and they’ve delivered miracles. In the past few years, infrastructure has been improved. Boundary walls have been built, toilets are functional, cleanliness is ensured, drinking water is available, and teachers are being sent for training. Just yesterday, I saw several student clips on social media from the Business Blasters initiative. There is an incredible confidence now among students of government schools.”
“Back in 2017, Manish Sisodia and I visited a government school and asked a student, ‘Son, you are the future of the country.’ The child replied, ‘No sir, the future of this country lies with the students of private schools.’ But three years later, when we visited the same school again and met the same student—now a few grades ahead—there were tears in his eyes. He said, ‘Sir, I now believe I too am the future of this country.’ That was a huge achievement,” he added.
Celebrating the transformation in student mindset, the AAP Supremo asserted, “The self-belief growing in students of Punjab’s government schools is extraordinary. Just yesterday I was watching videos from the Business Blasters program—how children are now thinking up business ideas. Some of the country’s top industrialists attended these events, and the way students from grades 11 and 12 presented in front of them with such confidence—it was simply phenomenal.”
Recognizing Punjab’s national ranking in education, he stated, “You’ve made Punjab number one in the NAS survey—my heartfelt congratulations to all of you. But personally, it’s not the NAS score that matters most. What matters is the trust the people of Punjab have given us, the unprecedented mandate they’ve handed to us.”
Underlining the true certificate of success, Arvind Kejriwal added, “For us, the real certificate is when the people of Punjab say that education has genuinely improved—and they’ve begun to say this. Living in Delhi, I meet many people from Punjab, and they often tell me two things: that solid work is being done against drugs, and that a revolution is unfolding in education, even in the remotest villages. That is the biggest certificate of success—bigger than any survey ranking.”
Referring to future goals, he emphasized, “We must focus not just on the students who rank number one, two, or three. Often teachers end up giving more attention to top performers. But we need to shift focus—give special attention to the weakest students, and ensure every child in Punjab gets a future.”
Highlighting the government’s war on drugs, Arvind Kejriwal asserted, “One of our three core missions is to eradicate drugs. The kind of war being waged across Punjab today, I believe, no government in the country has ever attempted. The political will shown by the Aam Aadmi Party, by Bhagwant Mann’s government, is historic. Not even powerful former ministers are being spared—bulldozers have razed drug smugglers’ homes. Nearly 17,000–18,000 smugglers have been arrested. We must ensure that no child falls into this trap again.”
Calling on teachers to act as sentinels, he added, “Each teacher must take responsibility for their school—if any student is seen heading toward drugs, it’s the teacher’s duty to intervene. You don’t even need to report it to me. Teachers have a hundred ways to bring children back on track.”
Defining the second and third core priorities, Arvind Kejriwal stated, “Secondly, every child must get quality education. And thirdly, we must ensure they become self-reliant—either through jobs or through entrepreneurship. That’s why we launched the Business Blasters program. Many students from poor families don’t attend college after Class 12. When they leave school, they must at least be able to feed themselves and their families. That’s the real goal of practical, meaningful education—not just a certificate they wander around with, jobless.”
Commending the educators, he said, “You are doing excellent work. Please continue this wonderful journey. Events like today’s, where teachers share openly and the Chief Minister, Education Minister, and entire Cabinet listen—this is in itself a revolutionary step. These interactions must continue. Every child in Punjab must get a bright future. That is our greatest certificate of success.”
This government is committed to working for welfare of the common people, and we will not leave any stone unturned in this noble mission: Bhagwant Mann
During this, Punjab CM Bhagwant Singh Mann noted that this achievement reflects the result of the Punjab Government’s consistent, concrete efforts to bring excellence in public services. “Teachers are the nation builders. They have played a critical role in making Punjab No.1 in NAS. Today, Punjab is registering historic progress in every sector,” he said.
He urged teachers to connect students with Punjab’s rich cultural heritage, calling it essential for holistic development. “Students must remain rooted in their identity to achieve real success. Our government is focused on skill development to ensure that every child grows into a self-reliant, dignified citizen.”
The Punjab CM credited the AAP and its National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal for bringing core issues like education, healthcare and electricity to the forefront of Indian politics. “No previous government took these issues seriously. Their leaders’ children studied in expensive private schools, so they never felt the need to fix public education. At one time, government schools were nothing more than mid-day meal centres.”
He stated that the AAP government is changing that reality by prioritising quality education at the school level. “Our education revolution is dismantling socio-economic barriers and transforming lives. Education is our highest priority because nothing is more important than the future of our children.”
He added that the government is upgrading public school infrastructure across the state and ensuring that teachers are only deployed for teaching—not administrative tasks. “We’ve introduced PTMs in government schools—something once seen only in private institutions. It’s a critical best practice for ensuring better communication between parents and teachers.”
Bhagwant Mann also highlighted that over 54,000 government jobs have been provided to youth purely on merit, without corruption or nepotism. “This has empowered young people to become active participants in Punjab’s socio-economic development. Every decision of our government is taken for the public good and the state’s progress.”
Being No.1 in NAS shows Punjab’s children are now in safe hands: Manish Sisodia
Senior AAP leader and Punjab Prabhari Manish Sisodia said, “We are not celebrating this as a political win. Even the central government—which rarely recognises opposition-led states—had to accept that Punjab is now No.1. What truly matters is the newfound self-confidence in the eyes of Punjab’s children.”
He emphasised that AAP’s political philosophy is rooted in the belief that teachers shape a nation’s future. “We see teachers as pilots who guide children from early childhood to becoming responsible citizens. The AAP government and administration are just ground staff—teachers are the real pilots. They’ve taken off, soared, and landed at No.1, giving children the right direction in life.”
Manish Sisodia explained that building an entire system to the No.1 rank is far more challenging than creating a few individual success stories. “Getting one child to the top is easy. Elevating all schools, and narrowing the gap between the top and the bottom-performing student—that’s what real education reform means.”
He added, “The problem with India’s education system isn’t the lack of toppers. It’s the distance between the topper and the average student, and especially between the first and the hundredth child. That’s the gap our teachers in Punjab have reduced.”
Manish Sisodia said that Punjab’s schools have succeeded not just because a few students are excelling, but because even the 24 lakhth student is being uplifted. “You don’t measure a school’s success by where one child ends up—you measure it by where the last child does. Punjab’s top ranking proves that every child is being brought forward.”
He concluded by urging teachers to stay the course: “The revolution has begun. Keep going. Keep lifting every child. That is the real mission of education.”
CM Arvind Kejriwal attends bhog & antim ardaas of late Tarn Taran MLA Dr. Kashmir Singh; calls his demise a great loss to Punjab and AAP
Earlier, AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal attended the bhog and antim ardaas of the late MLA Dr. Kashmir Singh Sohal and prayed for strength for the bereaved family in this hour of grief. Dr. Kashmir Singh was the AAP MLA from the Tarn Taran Assembly constituency. Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, along with other ministers and senior leaders, was also present on the occasion. All leaders expressed deep sorrow over Dr. Kashmir Singh Sohal’s untimely demise and called it a great loss for both the party and the state.
Arvind Kejriwal said, “Dr. Kashmir Singh Sohal was a prominent social worker who was always ready to serve the common people. Despite suffering from a serious illness, he continued to serve with missionary zeal, earning immense popularity among the masses. He was a loyal soldier of the party, unwaveringly committed to the ideology of public service. In this hour of grief, the party stands firmly with the bereaved family.”
Reflecting on the loss, Arvind Kejriwal added, “With Dr. Kashmir Singh Sohal’s demise, the party has lost a good human being and an experienced leader who believed in clean and principled politics. He was an honest politician, a dedicated social servant, and a disciplined party worker who played a crucial role in ensuring the overall development of the state—particularly the border areas—and in advancing the welfare of its people. His exceptional contributions as a doctor and legislator toward Punjab’s progress and prosperity will always be remembered.”
Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, who was also present at the Antim Ardaas, said, “Dr. Kashmir Singh Sohal was not just a person—he was an institution. He dedicated his entire life to the service of the underprivileged sections of society. His passing is one of the most painful incidents of my life, as he was very close to me. His untimely death is an irreparable loss to the party, which has lost an energetic leader who was immensely popular among the people.”
The Chief Minister remarked that Dr. Kashmir Singh Sohal’s widespread popularity could be witnessed in the presence of people from all walks of life at his Antim Ardaas. “Dr. Sohal was fully committed to the development of the entire region. It is now our personal duty to fulfil the dreams he left behind,” said Bhagwant Mann.
Reiterating the Punjab government’s commitment to the holistic development of the Tarn Taran Assembly constituency, CM Bhagwant Mann affirmed that all the works initiated by Dr. Kashmir Singh Sohal would be carried forward to completion.
“Though we accept this tragic event as the will of the Almighty, the pain and sorrow it has caused is unbearable,” the Chief Minister said. “The void left by Dr. Sohal’s demise is difficult to fill. He was a beloved leader who believed deeply in clean and principled politics.” Expressing deep condolences to the grieving family, Bhagwant Mann prayed to the Almighty to grant peace to the departed soul and strength to the bereaved family during this difficult time.
Thousands of mourners gathered to pay their last respects and share in the family’s grief. Notable dignitaries present included AAP Punjab Prabhari Manish Sisodia, Punjab Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan, Cabinet Ministers Laljit Singh Bhullar, Harbhajan Singh ETO, and Mahinder Bhagat; Deputy Speaker Jai Krishan Singh Rouri; and several other prominent personalities.
