3 min readLudhianaFeb 18, 2026 08:17 PM IST
First published on: Feb 18, 2026 at 12:58 PM IST
The Punjab Education Department Tuesday issued showcause notices to six teachers, including a block primary education officer (BPEO), in Ludhiana’s Machhiwara block after Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains conducted a surprise inspection at a primary school and found teachers “sitting idle”.
Storming into the classrooms at Government Primary Smart School (number 4), Machhiwara, Bains asked students in classes 3 and 5 to read a basic Punjabi text and solve simple math problems, but most kids failed.
“Eighteen of 27 children in your class can’t read basic Punjabi, or English, and they can’t even do basic math problems. Why are you earning this sin? I have to face and answer the parents of these children,” said Bains, while reprimanding the teachers on the spot.
Bains goes live on YouTube with surprise check
Bains, who broadcast the inspection live on YouTube, said that at least three teachers were found “sitting idle” while children in classrooms struggled to read basic text. He also noted that the classrooms had adequate facilities, including air conditioners.
Bains wrote a basic multiplication problem on the blackboard and asked the students who could solve it; only a few raised their hands. The majority also failed to read the basic Punjabi paragraphs he pointed out in the book.
“Officers are sending reports to Chandigarh that everything is okay, but this is what you are doing here. This child has been studying here for three years, but can’t read basic Punjabi,” said Bains, after a Class 3 girl failed to read or write in front of the minister.
Harjot Bains interacting with students (Screengrab).
Bains said that the surprise inspection was conducted after receiving several complaints regarding the school. “You have installed ACs in classrooms, but children don’t know the basics. How are we going to face their parents?” asked Bains.
Bains further reviewed the marksheets, on which each student received 3 out of 5 marks for reading. “They can’t read, but you have given 3 marks to every student. How is this possible?” questioned Bains. The school has 298 children from pre-primary to Class 5.
The showcause notices have been issued to six teachers: Sunita Rani, Varinder Agnihotri, Gurjit Kaur, Ajit Singh, Janki Devi and Gurpreet Kaur. They have been asked to submit their replies within a week or face suspension.
Harjot Bains asking students to solve problems (Screengrab). 
Harjot Bains interacting with students (Screengrab).
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