In a significant move towards enhancing accountability in education, the Punjab government has introduced a daily SMS notification system for parents of students enrolled in state-run schools. This initiative, launched under Mission Samrath 4.0, represents a commitment to real-time engagement with families regarding their children’s attendance.
At the launch event, Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains, accompanied by Manish Sisodia, the AAP’s in-charge for Punjab affairs, announced that this initiative marks a new phase in the government’s flagship educational program, ‘Sikhya Kranti.’
Bains emphasized that Punjab, already leading in the PARAKH (Performance Assessment, Review, and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development) survey, is now focused on transforming recognition into tangible results by enhancing accountability in classrooms and expanding effective teaching methodologies.
The minister highlighted a significant increase in the education budget, raised by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to Rs 19,279 crore for the fiscal year 2026-27, compared to Rs 12,657 crore in 2021-22. He assured that these funds are being effectively utilized in schools. “Previously, teachers had to ask for donations to fix toilets or buy supplies. Now they report that the funds are sufficient,” Bains stated.
He also noted improvements in the timely distribution of textbooks, explaining that in the past, teachers often resorted to photocopying materials until books arrived late in the year. This year, however, the government ensured that every student received their textbooks for free by April 1, thanks to careful planning and political commitment.
The newly introduced attendance tracking system is a core component of Mission Samrath for the academic year 2026-27. Bains explained, “Parents will now receive daily SMS alerts informing them of their child’s attendance, including notifications for any absences. This initiative aims to promote regular attendance, continuous learning, and active participation in the classroom. If a student is absent for seven days, parents will be contacted at the district level, and extended absences beyond 15 days will be escalated to state authorities, thereby prioritizing both education and student safety.”
Regarding Mission Samrath, Bains stated, “This phase is dedicated to improving teaching quality and accountability through attendance monitoring. Our objective is to guarantee that every child achieves a solid foundation in learning.”
He elaborated on the mission’s focus, which aims to ensure that students in grades 3 to 8 achieve proficiency in reading, writing, and mathematics. The progress is reflected in national data, with Punjab outperforming the national average in foundational learning by 18% in grade 3 and by 26-28% in grade 6, a noteworthy accomplishment.
Manish Sisodia also unveiled the Mission Samrath Compendium, which catalogs 38 effective teaching practices developed by Punjab educators. These practices will be implemented across schools to enhance learning outcomes, especially for students needing additional assistance.
“Punjab has demonstrated that government schools can excel. Being ranked first in PARAKH 2024 underscores this achievement. Through Mission Samrath 4.0, we are committed to ensuring that every child attends school daily and receives a quality education. While not every child will attend IIT, it is our responsibility to ensure that no child is left behind. A child represents hope, not just a statistic,” Sisodia remarked.
He further stated, “In our country, speeches from education leaders are common, but real change comes from actions. When a parent receives a simple message indicating that their child has arrived at school safely, that moment of accountability is more impactful than any grand speech.”
Sonali Giri, Secretary of School Education, assured that the initiative will foster pride among students and parents in government schools.
Mission Samrath employs a targeted, classroom-centered approach that focuses on teaching students based on their individual learning levels rather than their grades. This is supported by regular assessments, activity-based learning, and ongoing teacher mentoring.
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