· Directs to ensure transport facility for affected students in remote areas
· 7,635 tablets to be distributed to meritorious students by month end
· Rs. 13.91 Crore released under PDNA for 219 schools
Education Minister Rohit Thakur today chaired a meeting with senior officers of the Education Department to review its functioning and directed officials to expedite ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening the quality of education in Himachal Pradesh. He said the State Government is committed to providing modern, accessible and high-quality education to every child and is taking concrete steps to improve facilities, staffing and academic standards in government institutions.
Taking serious note of the difficulties faced by students due to school mergers, de-notifications and rationalisation, the Minister directed the department to ensure transport facilities for the maximum number of affected students, particularly in remote and tribal districts such as Kinnaur, Chamba and Lahaul-Spiti, so that distance does not become a barrier to education. He emphasised that all decisions regarding school re-notification and rationalisation must be taken strictly in the interest of students and instructed the department to re-notify the schools at Nagrota and Jwalamukhi.
Reviewing academic reforms, the Minister informed that 151 government schools in the state have received affiliation from the Central Board of Secondary Education and will start functioning under the CBSE curriculum from the coming academic session, which is expected to enhance academic standards and competitiveness. He also reviewed digital education initiatives and was informed that 7,635 tablets will be distributed to meritorious students by the end of this month to strengthen digital learning and improve access to modern educational resources in government schools.
Education Minister directed officials to identify suitable schools for introducing Horticulture as a vocational subject in order to promote skill-based education. He said the state has received dual category recognition from the National Council for Vocational Education and Training and the subject will be introduced in a phased manner with adequate teaching staff wherever the course is started.
Reviewing recruitment matters, the Minister was informed that 1,427 teachers have appeared in the Lecturer Direct Recruitment (LDR) examination and the results will be declared shortly. He said that approval has been received from the Finance Department to fill 870 posts of teachers and directed the department to accelerate the recruitment process so that the shortage of teachers, particularly in Science and Commerce streams, can be removed at the earliest. He also asked officials to submit details of pending recruitment cases to ensure early appointments.
While reviewing infrastructure development, the Minister said that Rs. 13.91 crore have been released to 219 schools under the Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA), out of which 782 repair and construction works have already been completed. He directed the department to ensure timely completion of the remaining works so that students receive proper facilities without delay.
Stressing the need to strengthen higher education, he said that the ranking of colleges in the state will be finalised on 17th March to improve academic standards and promote healthy competition among institutions. He also directed officials to expedite the formalities for establishing new Kendriya Vidyalayas so that they can be made functional from the next academic session.
The Minister instructed the department to simplify admission procedures and ensure a transparent system for issuing certificates so that students and parents do not face unnecessary inconvenience while moving from one institution to another.
Secretary Education Rakesh Kanwar, Project Director Samagra Shiksha Rajesh Sharma, Director Higher Education Dr Amarjeet K. Sharma, Director School Education Ashish Kohli and other senior officers were present in the meeting.
