Photo Source: Babushahi Bureau
Punjab Govt to roll out ‘Khed Pitara’ in 12,856 Primary Schools; 7.5 lakh children to benefit from Play-Based Learning initiative
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, February 28, 2026: In a major push to strengthen early childhood education, the Punjab Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is set to introduce ‘Khed Pitara’, a comprehensive play-based learning kit, across Government Primary Schools to promote joyful and experiential learning among young students.
The initiative aims to transform classrooms at the Foundational Stage—from Nursery to Class 2—into engaging, child-centred environments that prioritise learning through play, exploration, and hands-on activities.
Targeting children between the ages of 3 and 8 years, the programme seeks to lay a strong academic and developmental foundation during the most critical years of learning.
Described as a first-of-its-kind intervention at this scale in Punjab, the ‘Khed Pitara’ initiative will provide all printed learning materials in Punjabi to ensure better comprehension and inclusive participation among students.
‘Khed Pitara’ is a structured Learning-Teaching Material (LTM) kit designed specifically for early grade learners. It promotes activity-based, experiential education by shifting focus away from rote memorisation to interactive and joyful learning methods. The initiative is aimed at nurturing curiosity, creativity and confidence among children from the beginning of their educational journey.
Through the introduction of the kit, classrooms are expected to become more interactive and inclusive. The initiative will help strengthen foundational literacy and numeracy, enhance language and communication skills, encourage imagination and creativity, develop problem-solving abilities, and support social and emotional growth.
Students will engage in storytelling, games, collaborative tasks, and hands-on activities designed to reduce stress and fear often associated with early schooling.
The ‘Khed Pitara’ includes age-appropriate educational resources such as toys and manipulatives, puzzles and games, story and flash cards, posters, activity books, puppets, and play materials. Teacher resource materials have also been included to support effective classroom implementation. Each component is aligned with key developmental areas, including language skills, numeracy, creativity, and social learning.
Approximately 7.5 lakh children studying in the Foundational Stage across Punjab will benefit from the initiative. The kits will be distributed to around 12,856 Government Primary Schools, ensuring widespread coverage.
Teachers handling foundational classes will also receive structured support materials to facilitate activity-based teaching methods.
The state government is investing approximately ₹9.3 crore in the programme. Procurement has been completed, and distribution is in its final stage, with work orders being issued for supply to schools. The kits are scheduled to be distributed to all Government Primary Schools by April 1.
Punjab’s Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains stated that meaningful educational reform begins at the foundational level. He emphasised that the initiative reflects the government’s long-term vision of strengthening early learning to ensure sustained academic success and holistic development.
The rollout of ‘Khed Pitara’ marks a significant step in the state’s broader strategy to reform primary education by fostering an engaging, play-based learning ecosystem for its youngest learners.