19 Aug 2025 : The Punjab Education Department has issued strict directives to all government and private schools across the state, mandating them to submit detailed compliance reports by August 31, 2025. The move comes as part of the department’s broader efforts to ensure accountability, improve educational standards, and streamline school functioning in line with the state’s new academic and administrative guidelines.
According to senior officials, the orders were communicated to all District Education Officers (DEOs) and Block Primary Education Officers (BPEOs), who have been tasked with monitoring the compliance process. Schools have been instructed to submit reports covering key areas such as student enrollment, infrastructure status, teacher attendance, learning outcomes, and implementation of government welfare schemes like the Mid-Day Meal, free textbooks, and uniforms.
The department emphasized that schools failing to adhere to the deadline will face disciplinary action. “These reports are crucial for evaluating the ground reality and identifying gaps in the system,” said an official from the Punjab School Education Board. “The data will help us address challenges like teacher shortages, infrastructure gaps, and student dropouts more effectively.”
The directive also highlights the state government’s focus on digital transformation in education. Schools have been encouraged to submit reports through the online monitoring portal developed by the Education Department, which will ensure faster processing and transparency. This initiative aligns with Punjab’s broader goal of digitizing school management systems and promoting data-driven decision-making.
Parents’ associations and education experts have largely welcomed the move, noting that such accountability measures are necessary to improve the overall quality of education. “For years, there have been issues like poor attendance, lack of facilities, and limited oversight. Regular reporting will ensure that schools remain under continuous evaluation, which is good for students,” said Gurmeet Singh, president of a parents’ welfare association in Ludhiana.
However, some school administrators have expressed concerns over the short timeline. “Preparing comprehensive reports within a few weeks is a challenging task, especially for schools in rural areas where resources and staff are limited,” said the principal of a government high school in Ferozepur. “The government should also provide adequate support to schools to meet these requirements.”
Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains, while addressing the issue, clarified that the deadline is non-negotiable. He stated that the reports would form the foundation for policy decisions aimed at uplifting Punjab’s education sector. “We are committed to transforming the education system in Punjab. Timely submission of these reports will help us plan infrastructure upgrades, fill vacancies, and enhance student learning outcomes,” the minister said.
The strict order underscores the state government’s determination to bring reforms to the education sector. By making reporting mandatory, the department seeks to build a transparent, accountable, and student-centric education system that addresses long-standing challenges and prepares schools for future needs.
With the August 31 deadline approaching, schools across Punjab are now racing against time to complete their assessments and compile reports. The coming weeks will determine how effectively schools respond to this directive and whether the initiative will set a new benchmark for educational governance in the state.