Punjab Sends Largest-Ever Batch of Teachers to Finland for Advanced Training: CM Bhagwant Mann

Chandigarh, May 2026: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday announced that the state government has sent its largest-ever batch of 72 government school teachers to Finland for advanced educational training, describing the move as a major milestone in Punjab’s ongoing education reforms.

Addressing a press conference, Mann said the teachers departed from Delhi and will undergo specialised training at a reputed university in Finland’s Turku city until May 29. The programme is aimed at exposing Punjab’s teachers to globally recognised teaching practices, innovative classroom methods, and modern educational systems.

The Chief Minister said the initiative reflects the Punjab government’s commitment to transforming government schools and creating a world-class education system in the state.

“We are bringing an education revolution in Punjab. Our teachers are receiving global exposure so they can return with new ideas and teaching methods that will directly benefit students studying in government schools,” Mann said.

He added that the state government is focused not only on improving school infrastructure but also on strengthening teacher training and leadership development.

Mann stated that Punjab has emerged as the top-performing state in education in the latest survey conducted by NITI Aayog, outperforming states such as Kerala, Maharashtra, and Haryana on several educational indicators.

According to the Chief Minister, Punjab has achieved near-complete digital and electricity coverage in government schools. “Almost 99 per cent of our schools now have computer facilities, and electricity access has reached nearly every government school in the state,” he said.

The Chief Minister also highlighted the overwhelming participation of parents in the recently organised mega Parent-Teacher Meetings (PTMs), saying more than 24 lakh parents attended the programme across Punjab.

He said the increasing engagement of parents and communities in government schools reflects growing public confidence in the state’s education system.

Mann congratulated Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains for the progress achieved in the sector and praised students for their academic performances.

He specifically mentioned three girl students from the Dhuri constituency who scored 100 per cent marks in their examinations. He noted that the students represented the changing image of Punjab’s government schools and the success of recent reforms.

During the event, Mann and Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains jointly flagged off the batch of teachers heading to Finland.

The Chief Minister credited the Aam Aadmi Party leadership, especially party national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, for making education, healthcare, and electricity central political issues.

“Our government believes education is the strongest foundation for social and economic progress. We are investing in teachers because teachers shape the future of Punjab,” Mann said.

He pointed out that Punjab had earlier sent 234 principals and education officers to Singapore for leadership development and training programmes. The latest batch of 72 teachers being sent to Finland is the biggest international training delegation so far from the state.

According to Mann, the positive impact of previous international training programmes is already visible in Punjab’s education system, particularly in mathematics, science, language education, smart classrooms, teacher-student ratio, and digital learning.

The Chief Minister said several students from government schools in the Dhuri constituency had secured above 97 per cent marks and earned places in merit lists this year.

He added that the state’s education policy also emphasises holistic development, noting that the three girls who topped the Class 12 examinations were also active sportspersons.

Recalling earlier initiatives, Mann said the Punjab government had sent the seventh batch of 36 school principals to Singapore on March 8 for specialised training programmes.

At that time, he had described the move as a “golden chapter” in Punjab’s educational history, saying internationally trained teachers and principals were helping improve both educational standards and student enrollment in government schools.

The Chief Minister claimed Punjab has now become the first state in India to provide international-level training opportunities to more than 300 teachers and principals, setting what he described as a new benchmark in public education reform.

He expressed confidence that the Finland training programme would further strengthen Punjab’s efforts to build a modern and globally competitive education system.

Team Maverick.