Himachal To Develop 850 Education Institutes As Institutions Of Excellence

As per Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhu, the state government has allocated a sum of Rs 9.560 crore for the education section, in the state budget.

850 Institutions of Excellence In Himachal Pradesh (Representational Image)

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The Himachal Pradesh government is set to develop as many as 850 educational institutes in the state as Institution of Excellence in the fiscal year 2024-25, news agency PTI reported. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu said that the state government has allocated a sum of Rs 9,560 crore from the state budget for the education sector. As per the state chief minister, a total of 500 primary schools, 100 high schools, 200 senior secondary schools and 50 degree colleges across the state would be developed as Institutions of Excellence. 

The revamp of the educational institutions in Himachal Pradesh would see the integration of advanced technology and infrastructure in institutions across the state like smart classrooms, full teacher strength where the performance of teachers shall be evaluated on the basis of periodically, based on objective criteria, Sukhu said. 

He further stated that schools shall be mandatorily reviewed every month and a system of annual rankings shall also be put in place for performance-based grants of institutions. While 6,000 nursery teachers will be added in the next financial year, eligible Aanganwadi workers would also be allowed to be selected as nursery teachers, he added. 

At present, more than 6,000 primary schools in Himachal Pradesh are running pre-schools. To foster a sense of respect for institutions amongst parents and teachers, schools have also been allowed to choose their own uniforms in consultation with parents. 

While separate schools for boys and girls shall be merged in consultation with the locals, and the transportation cost of students residing in areas with no primary schools within a radius of 3 to 5 kilometres shall be borne by the state government, he added. 

Sukhu further announced that the Himachal Pradesh government will also provide water bottles to 8.5 lakh students studying in state government schools. Even the school curriculum will be re-evaluated in line with Constitutional values, while simultaneously pressing on the rich cultural heritage of the state. The state government will start courses on the history and culture of Himachal Pradesh, the Indian Constitution, health and other subjects of general knowledge compulsorily for this , from class 5, Sukhu said.

(With inputs from PTI)