New Delhi

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday hailed what he described as a remarkable turnaround in Punjab's education sector, claiming that the state has secured the top position in a recent assessment conducted by NITI Aayog.

Speaking in a video message shared on social media, Kejriwal said Punjab's rise from the lower end of national rankings to the top spot reflects the impact of reforms undertaken since the AAP formed the government in the state in 2022.

According to him, Punjab was placed 27th in an earlier education survey but has now emerged as the highest-ranked state in the country, surpassing traditionally strong performers such as Kerala.

Describing the development as a major achievement, Kejriwal said the improvement demonstrates what can be accomplished when governments prioritise education and work with clear intent.

"This is a significant accomplishment. Moving from the 27th position to number one within four years shows that meaningful change is possible when there is commitment and determination," he said.

The former Delhi chief minister termed the achievement a milestone in the transformation of government schools and said it should inspire confidence across the education sector.

Kejriwal reiterated that education and healthcare remain the two key pillars of the AAP's governance model. Referring to the party's experience in Delhi, he said similar efforts are now being made in Punjab to improve learning outcomes and strengthen public education infrastructure.

He acknowledged that challenges still remain but stressed that substantial progress has already been made.

"We are not claiming that every issue has been resolved. However, an important milestone has been reached, and it has infused confidence among teachers, principals and students throughout the state," he said.

Kejriwal also pointed to the growing success of students from government schools in competitive examinations, stating that many have qualified for prestigious entrance tests such as NEET and JEE.

He said it was encouraging to see children from economically weaker backgrounds pursuing careers in medicine and engineering through the opportunities created by improved public education.

According to Kejriwal, the changing educational landscape in Punjab has energised the state's teaching community and strengthened belief in the potential of government schools.

While emphasising that further reforms are needed, he said the reported progress serves as evidence that sustained investment in education can produce meaningful results.

READ MORE: 5 Muslim youth showered with praises for saving lives in Delhi hotel fire

"This is what governments are expected to do—create opportunities and improve people's lives through quality education and public services," he said.