In a major initiative aimed at encouraging academic excellence and promoting innovation in education, Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains on Monday launched the “Bright Minds Punjab 2026” program at Virasat-e-Khalsa in Anandpur Sahib. More than 600 students who scored above 85 per cent marks in Class 12 Punjab board examinations were felicitated.The inaugural event was attended by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab affairs in-charge Manish Sisodia, senior education department officials, teachers and students from across the district.Addressing the gathering, Bains announced that artificial intelligence (AI) would be introduced as a subject in all government schools from Class 6 onwards from the current academic session. He said the move was aimed at equipping students with future-ready skills and preparing them for emerging technological challenges and opportunities.AI is transforming industries across the world and creating new employment avenues. Punjab’s students must be prepared to lead this transformation,” Bains said.“Integrating technology into school education would help students remain competitive in a rapidly changing global environment,” he said.Bains also highlighted the state’s achievements in the education sector, saying that Punjab had secured the top position in school education in the latest ranking released by NITI Aayog. The government would continue introducing technology-driven reforms to strengthen the education system further.Bains also said answer sheets of examinations conducted by the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) would soon be made available online. The initiative, he said, would promote transparency and fairness in the evaluation process by allowing students to access their evaluated answer scripts.An interactive session in which students raised questions and suggested reforms related to the education system was also organised. Bains described the interaction as a unique platform that allowed policymakers to directly engage with young learners and understand their aspirations.He said the Bright Minds Punjab 2026 program would now be extended to all districts of the state. Under the initiative, meritorious students will be recognised and encouraged to share their ideas for improving education and governance.Sisodia while addressing the students said the importance of ensuring quality education for every child. Nation’s progress depended on the strength of its education system and noted that India continued to face challenges related to learning outcomes, he said.“Every home and every child should have access to quality education. Teachers and governments share a collective responsibility to uphold the integrity and effectiveness of the education system,” he said.Encouraging students to pursue excellence, Sisodia said success could only be achieved through hard work, discipline and innovative thinking. He added that Punjab’s students were demonstrating their potential and were capable of emerging as leaders in various fields.