Chandigarh: Adding another feather to its cap, Punjab has emerged a leading state in the country in providing best infrastructure and facilities to primary and upper primary schools.

Education Minister Upinderjit Kaur on Sunday said Punjab has surpassed Delhi, which has now shifted to second position as far as the infrastructure index is concerned.

This finding is based on Educational Development Index (EDI), prepared by the National University of Educational Planning and Administration (NUEPA), established by the central government's human resource development ministry.

The infrastructure index of Punjab is 0.917 whereas for Delhi it is 0.909.

NUEPA is a premier institution that deals with capacity building and research in planning and management of education not only in India but in also South Asia.

"According to the survey conducted by NUEPA, on the basis of 2007-08 data, there were 18,508 government schools in Punjab and they were better in various aspects than the Delhi schools. Out of total classrooms in the state, around 72.14 per cent have been put under 'good-condition' category," the minister said.

She said that the survey revealed that Punjab schools have a strong workforce of 50,793 teachers and 5,332 head teachers. In Punjab there are 894 girl students enrolled in schools for every 1000 boys, she said.

"Now after achieving number one position in infrastructure, we are all set to become number one in providing quality education. Working in this direction, we have already started several new projects in the state," the minister added. IANS