In the fiscal year 2024-25, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has allocated a substantial Rs 9,560 crore from the budget to elevate 850 educational institutions in Himachal Pradesh to the status of Institutions of Excellence. Sukhu detailed the comprehensive plan, encompassing the development of 500 primary schools, 100 high schools, 200 senior secondary schools, and 50 degree colleges.
Under this initiative, these institutions will see the integration of smart classrooms and other facilities, accompanied by regular evaluations of teachers’ performance based on objective criteria. Monthly reviews of schools will be mandatory, and a system of annual ranking for performance-based grants will be instituted.
In a progressive move, eligible Anganwadi workers will be permitted to serve as nursery teachers, with 6,000 nursery teacher appointments slated for the next financial year. Currently, pre-schools operate in over 6,000 primary schools in Himachal Pradesh.
Fostering a sense of institutional pride, schools now have the autonomy to choose uniforms in consultation with parents. Furthermore, the merger of separate schools or colleges for girls and boys will be carried out in consultation with local communities. The state government will cover transportation costs for students residing in areas without primary schools within a 3 to 5-kilometer radius.
To address the students’ needs, Chief Minister Sukhu announced the provision of water bottles for 8.50 lakh students in government schools. Additionally, the educational curriculum in Himachal Pradesh will undergo a re-evaluation, emphasizing Constitutional values and the state’s rich cultural heritage. Mandatory courses on the history and culture of Himachal Pradesh, the Indian Constitution, health, and general knowledge will be introduced from class 5, contributing to a more enriched educational experience.
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