• Announces 50 lakh for school
While presiding over the annual prize distribution function of GSSS Chotta Shimla here today, Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that education is on top priority agenda of the present State Government and is taking various far-reaching decisions to provide quality education to the students so that they could compete with other students keeping in view new trends in the education sector.
Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that Rajiv Gandhi Day Boarding Schools would be opened in the state to provide modern facilities for students. He said the State Government aims to change the entire education system in the coming ten years, and his first budget will be focused on strengthening the education sector. The teachers will also be trained with professional courses in order to provide best education to the students, he added.
The Chief Minister said that times are changing and the state government intends to bring Himachal Pradesh into the category of modern States with a special focus on education in the budget. The government will introduce new courses and modern education in the State so that students take education according to their interest. He said that to help orphan children, the government has launched the Mukhyamantri Sukhashrya Yojana with an outlay of Rs. 101 crore, which will benefit six thousand orphan children. He said that the government will adopt orphan children as “The Children of the State” and would provide full funding for their education, pocket money etc. Additionally, the government will fund their air travel and three-star hotel stay once a year, he added.
Recalling his childhood memories of studying in the School on a mat, Chief Minister encouraged the students by saying that they can achieve anything through their hard work and strong willpower.
Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu further added that at the age of 17, he contested the class representative election in Sanjauli College, and now he has got the opportunity to serve as the Chief Minister of state. He emphasized that hard work and commitment are key to success and that students studying in government schools should not have an inferiority complex, as government teachers are competent.
The Chief Minister expressed his happiness to be back at his old school and said he particularly enjoyed the cultural program. He announced Rs. 2 Lakh to the students who presented the program. He also announced the school’s transformation into smart classes with digital displays and facility of online and offline studies. The school will have a digital library and digital office and admission will be available both online and offline. Furthermore, the Chief Minister announced Rs. 50 lakh for Chhota Shimla school to transform it into a smart school and added that all the announcements would be implemented within two months.
The Chief Minister honored his Mathematics teacher Savitri Devi, Sweetshop owner Tilak Raj Chadha and his fellow schoolmates Manohar Verma, Pramod Sharma, Rajender Shandil, Ramesh Verma, Bhupinder Kanwar, Bal Krishan, Madan Verma, Pramod Chauhan, Kamal Dhaulta, RD Joshi, C Joshi, Devanand Verma, Surender Chauhan and Tilak raj Chadha on the occasion. He also honoured the meritorious and other students who excelled in various fields.
Earlier, Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu was accorded grand welcome on his first visit to the school after assuming the office. He also released the school magazine “Gyaneshwari.”
Education Minister Rohit Thakur said that it is matter of pride for the students of GSSS Chota Shimla that one of the student of this school has become the Chief Minister of the State through his hard work and dedication.
Rohit Thakur said that the job oriented courses will be started in the technical education institutions of the state, as there is a need to increase the skilled manpower. He emphasised the crucial role that teachers had to play in increasing the skilled manpower and highlighted the need to support them in their efforts.
Principal, GSSS Chotta Shimla Meera Sharma read out the annual report on the occasion.
A colourful cultural programme was also presented by the school children on the occasion
The students of the GSSS Chotta Shimla also made donation of Rs. 11,000 towards the Mukhyamantri Sukh-Ashrya Sahayata Kosh from their savings on the occasion.
MLA Harish Janartha, Political Advisor to Chief Minister Sunil Sharma, Principal Advisor (Media) Naresh Chauhan, Sister of Chief Minister Sayogita Thakur, OSD Gopal Sharma, Secretary Education Abhishek Jain, Director Higher Education Amarjeet Sharma, ADC Shivam Pratap Singh, SP Sanjeev Gandhi, other dignitaries and staff of the school were also present amongst other.
