A Comparative Study of Structural Upgradation in Secondary Education: Evaluating Student Aspiration Levels and Digital Capital in Legacy Punjab Government Schools vs. Schools of Eminence Framework

Punjab's School of Eminence (SoE) framework, launched in 2023, represents the most significant structural upgradation of government secondary education since independence. This study compares the impact of this upgradation on two critical 21st-century outcomes: Student Aspiration Levels and Digital Capital. Using a comparative causal-comparative cum pre-test post-test design, 120 students of Grade 9-10 were selected from 4 Legacy Government Schools (n=60) and 4 Schools of Eminence (n=60) in Patiala district. Tools used were (1) Student Aspiration Scale (SAS - 20 items, reliability 0.86) and (2) Digital Capital Assessment Scale (DCAS - 25 items, reliability 0.89) developed by the researcher. Pre-test was conducted in July 2025, Post-test after 6 months of intervention in Jan 2026. Results revealed a significant difference: SoE students scored significantly higher in both aspiration (Mean 78.4 vs 62.3, t=8.92, p<0.001) and digital capital (Mean 82.6 vs 54.1, t=11.45, p<0.001). Within SoE group, aspiration improved by 32% and digital capital by 67% from pre to post-test. The study proves that infrastructure + pedagogy + digital labs upgradation under SoE is transforming student mindset from survival to aspiration.