Chandigarh: The issue of examination paper leaks and the future of students dominated proceedings in the Punjab Legislative Assembly, with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann describing paper leak incidents as a direct assault on the aspirations of hardworking and economically disadvantaged students.

Participating in a discussion on education and examination reforms, the Chief Minister said that every paper leak undermines the credibility of the recruitment and education system while depriving deserving candidates of fair opportunities. He asserted that protecting the integrity of examinations remains a key priority for the state government.

Referring to the national scenario, Mann claimed that numerous examination paper leak cases have been reported across the country since 2014, with many of them occurring in states governed by the Bharatiya Janata Party. He said such incidents have shaken the confidence of students and job aspirants and called for stronger measures to ensure transparency and accountability in examination systems.

The Chief Minister also said his government is committed to preserving Punjab’s historical and cultural legacy through education. He stated that the state has opposed attempts to distort history in school curricula and is working to ensure that the contributions and sacrifices of Sikh Gurus, freedom fighters and other historic personalities are presented accurately in Punjab’s educational syllabus.

Highlighting the government’s achievements in the education sector, Mann said Punjab has emerged as one of the country’s leading states in school education due to a series of reforms aimed at improving learning outcomes and strengthening public education. He noted that hundreds of students from government schools had successfully qualified the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET), describing it as a reflection of the improving quality of education in government institutions.

He further said the state government has introduced legislation to regulate fees charged by private schools and has provided more than 68,500 government jobs through what it describes as a transparent recruitment process. According to the Chief Minister, these initiatives reflect the government’s commitment to ensuring accessible education and merit-based employment opportunities.

Appealing directly to parents, Mann urged them not to place excessive pressure on children solely to achieve high academic scores. He said every child possesses unique abilities and talents, and families should encourage them to develop their individual strengths rather than measuring success only through examination results.

The discussion concluded with the Chief Minister reiterating the government’s commitment to creating a fair, transparent and inclusive education system that provides equal opportunities for every student in Punjab.