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  • Himachal to Expand UNESCO’s HP FUTURES Programme Beyond PM SHRI Schools

    Himachal to Expand UNESCO’s HP FUTURES Programme Beyond PM SHRI Schools

    Shimla, June 5:

    The Himachal Pradesh government on Friday said it plans to expand the UNESCO-supported HP FUTURES programme to more schools across the state, following encouraging results during its first year of implementation.

    A review meeting marking one year of the HP FUTURES (Foundation for Upskilling, Teacher Excellence, Understanding, Readiness, Equity and Sustainability) programme was held in Shimla. The initiative, launched in partnership with UNESCO, focuses on competency-based education, value education through sports, green education and the development of 21st-century skills among students.

    The meeting was attended by Education Secretary Rakesh Kanwar, Samagra Shiksha Director Rajesh Sharma, Director of School Education Ashish Kohli, Additional Director (Sports) Hitesh Azad, UNESCO South Asia Head of Education Joyce Poan, Monica Lama, education department officials, teachers and representatives of various institutions. UNESCO also released a report highlighting the programme’s achievements during its first year.

    Addressing the gathering, Education Secretary Rakesh Kanwar said the three pillars of the FUTURES programme were helping make education more holistic, relevant and future-oriented. He said the initiative had been tailored to Himachal Pradesh’s local requirements, enabling stronger engagement with school communities.

    Kanwar said the programme is currently being implemented in PM SHRI schools, but its successful practices would be extended to a larger number of schools in the future. He added that the state government intends to continue and strengthen its long-term partnership with UNESCO and integrate these innovations into everyday teaching, curriculum and school activities.

    Samagra Shiksha Director Rajesh Sharma said the collaboration with UNESCO had enabled the state to adapt globally recognised educational practices to local needs. He noted that detailed studies of curriculum, teaching methodologies and school systems had led to significant improvements in the education sector.

    Sharma said competency-based learning, value education through sports and green education had been effectively implemented in participating schools, yielding positive outcomes. He added that the programme had also contributed to nurturing values such as equality, cooperation, responsibility and social sensitivity among students.

    He further said Samagra Shiksha would prepare a roadmap to expand the model to nearly 14,000 schools across the state so that a larger number of students could benefit from the initiative.

    Director of School Education Ashish Kohli said the programme promotes competency-based education, teacher capacity building and application-based learning instead of rote memorisation. Positive results were already visible in the selected schools, he added.

    UNESCO South Asia Head of Education Joyce Poan described the partnership with Himachal Pradesh as an important step towards transforming education. She said the FUTURES programme aimed to translate global educational thinking into practical action at the grassroots level and had demonstrated how meaningful change could be achieved when governments, educators and stakeholders work together.

    During the event, winners of a UNESCO quiz competition were felicitated. The UNESCO delegation also visited Portmore School in Shimla to review the programme’s implementation at the ground level.

  • HPTU Plans Major Reforms in Academic Administration & Student Welfare

    HPTU Plans Major Reforms in Academic Administration & Student Welfare

    HAMIRPUR JUNE 4

    The Himachal Pradesh Technical University (HPTU), Hamirpur, has decided to reconstitute its System Committee with the objective of further enhancing the efficiency, transparency and credibility of the University’s entrance examination system. The decision was taken during a high-level review meeting chaired by Vice-Chancellor Dr. Abhishek Jain.

    The meeting also resolved to reorganize the composition of the Academic Council and introduce necessary amendments wherever required to improve its functioning. In another significant decision aimed at safeguarding institutional integrity and confidentiality, it was decided that employees posted in the Confidential Branch and other sensitive sections of the University would ordinarily be transferred after completing a tenure of one to two years.

    The Vice-Chancellor said that, in line with the vision and directions of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and Technical Education Minister Rajesh Dharmani, the University is implementing several multi-dimensional initiatives to align the quality of education with global standards. As part of these efforts, a Competitive Examination Cell will be established to provide students with guidance, counseling and mentoring for various competitive examinations, thereby enhancing their career prospects.

    He said that to create awareness about the harmful effects of drug abuse and promote a healthy campus environment, the University will organize a 30-minute Anti-Drug Awareness Session on the first Monday of every month. He said that the initiative is expected to sensitize students and staff about the social and health consequences of substance abuse.

    Dr. Jain also directed the concerned authorities to take timely steps for the constitution of the General Grievance Redressal Committee and the Gender Sensitization and Counseling Cell to strengthen student support mechanisms and ensure a safe and inclusive campus atmosphere.

    He further directed the University officials to submit detailed reports on matters pending with the Government of India as well as approvals and decisions awaiting action from the state government.

    Dr. Jain also held detailed discussions on student-centric issues, including transportation facilities through the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC), sports infrastructure, library resources, procurement of laboratory equipment, construction of rain shelters and enhancement of green cover on the campus.