Chandigarh: Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has announced a major digital overhaul of Punjab’s government education system, introducing a real-time attendance tracking mechanism effective April 1, 2026. Speaking at a press conference in Chandigarh, the Chief Minister detailed a new policy where parents will receive immediate notifications if their child is absent from school. For absences exceeding two to three days, school authorities are now mandated to personally contact parents to ascertain the reason, ensuring that students do not drop out or fall behind due to lack of oversight.
In a move aimed at enhancing institutional accountability, the new system also tracks teacher attendance. If a teacher is absent, the details will be shared not only with senior departmental officials but also with the parents and the School Management Committee (SMC). To prevent any disruption in the learning process, the government has directed that if a teacher requires long-term leave, a substitute must be appointed immediately. Chief Minister Mann noted that such features, previously exclusive to high-end private institutions, are being integrated into the state’s “School of Eminence” model to bridge the gap between private and public education.
Reflecting on the broader vision for the state, the Chief Minister critiqued the historical divide between “Bharat’s education” (rural/government) and “India’s education” (elite/private). He stated that previous administrations had reduced government schools to mere “mid-day meal centres,” but the current government is committed to elevating them to the standards seen in Delhi’s reformed education model. By providing quality infrastructure and strict monitoring, the administration aims to make government schools a preferred choice for all citizens, regardless of their economic background, thereby strengthening the foundational “pedestal” of the nation.
