Shimla, January 26:
The state-level Republic Day celebrations held at the historic Ridge Ground in Shimla offered a glimpse of the qualitative and progressive transformation taking place in Himachal Pradesh’s government schools. A special tableau prepared under Samagra Shiksha for the Education Department emerged as a major attraction, presenting the theme “Quality and Excellence in Education – Himachal’s Identity.”
The tableau highlighted the state government’s sustained efforts to strengthen school education by ensuring equal and improved learning opportunities for students studying in government institutions. It showcased how education in Himachal is evolving beyond textbooks, giving equal importance to skill development, innovation, practical learning and holistic personality growth.
Government Schools Moving Towards CBSE Curriculum
Through the tableau, it was also conveyed that the Himachal Pradesh government has decided to implement the CBSE curriculum in government schools, with the objective of preparing students for national-level competition and enabling them to confidently compete with students across the country.
Foreign Educational Tours for Meritorious Students
One of the key highlights showcased was the initiative of sending meritorious government school students on national and international educational exposure visits. In the previous year, 50 students were sent to Singapore and Cambodia, allowing them to learn from advanced education systems abroad. Himachal reportedly became the first state in the country to take such an initiative, which was also appreciated by the Union Education Ministry.
Additionally, students are being taken on educational and cultural tours to different parts of India. Special children were recently taken to visit the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha to understand the democratic system, along with exposure visits to places like Chandigarh, Amritsar and the Wagah Border.
STEM Projects Encouraging Innovation
The tableau also showcased the launch of STEM projects under Samagra Shiksha in schools across the state. These projects focus on project-based learning, encouraging students to identify local issues and develop innovative solutions, thereby increasing interest and capability in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.
Cluster System Strengthening Learning
Information was also shared about the cluster system being developed in schools, where institutions from pre-primary to senior secondary levels are grouped together to share resources and improve teaching efficiency. The introduction of pre-primary classes was highlighted as an important step toward strengthening early childhood development.
Modern and International Teacher Training
The tableau further reflected the government’s focus on improving teacher training through collaborations with institutions like UNESCO, Cambridge University and Singapore Principal Academy, along with training support from reputed organizations such as the IIMs, to enhance classroom learning outcomes.
Improved Learning Outcomes
As a result of these reforms, the learning levels of students have shown improvement. Himachal Pradesh secured the 5th position in the PARAKH Survey 2024, while the state has also performed strongly in ASER and PGI reports, reflecting progress in learning achievements.
Rajesh Sharma Highlights Government Commitment
Samagra Shiksha Director Rajesh Sharma said the tableau effectively presented the positive and quality-driven changes happening in government schools. He stated that the initiative symbolizes the government’s commitment to providing students with equal opportunities, modern education, skill development and a global outlook, ensuring education is not restricted to textbooks but focused on holistic development.
The tableau received widespread appreciation from spectators and remained a centre of applause throughout the ceremony.
