State Government making reforms to transform education sector

Shimla Feb 16

The present state government has initiated several innovative measures to ensure quality and inclusive education for students. Significant reforms have been introduced to strengthen the education sector and academic institutions, along with the launch of multiple strategic programs.

To enhance the quality of education in government schools and provide students with superior facilities, the state government has established school clusters. These clusters have resulted in an increase in the number of students and teachers, thereby ensuring the availability of quality education. This initiative has also allowed primary school students to access advanced facilities, including laboratories meant for higher-grade students.

In a bid to instil confidence in government school students and provide equal educational opportunities, and to fulfil electoral promise the government has introduced English as the medium of instruction from the first grade in all government institutions. Further, the state government has started pre-school classes in 6,297 primary schools.

Additionally, to offer top-notch education and world-class infrastructure, Rajiv Gandhi Day-Boarding Schools, equipped with modern technology, are being set up in every legislative constituency.

To support the education and welfare of children of widowed, destitute, abandoned, and differently-abled women, the government has launched the ‘Mukhyamantri Sukh Shiksha Yojana’ with an allocated budget of Rs. 53.21 crore. Similarly, the ‘Bal Poshtik Aahar Yojana’ has been introduced in 15,181 schools, benefiting 5.34 lakh children by providing them with additional nutrition like eggs and fruits, with an allocation of Rs. 12.75 crore for this initiative.

The Dr. Y.S. Parmar Vidyarthi Rin Yojana has been introduced to assist students in pursuing higher education. Under this scheme, students can avail of loans up to Rs. 20 lakh at a nominal interest rate of just one percent. The scheme has been extended to support meritorious students from underprivileged backgrounds who wish to pursue professional and vocational courses abroad.

Under the Srinivasa Ramanujan Vidyarthi Yojana, 11,552 tablets have been distributed to meritorious students of Class 10, Class 12 and colleges to enhance their digital literacy and prepare them for future technologies.

Additionally, agriculture and horticulture have been introduced as elective subjects in schools, and the cluster system has been implemented. Furthermore, prize money, diet, and travel allowances for student-athletes have been increased. To strengthen college-level education, 120 college principals and 483 assistant professors have been appointed.

Through these visionary initiatives, the state government is transforming the education sector, ensuring equitable access, enhancing digital and academic infrastructure, and fostering a robust learning ecosystem for students and teachers.

The positive results of the efforts of the state government have started coming. In the 2024 annual report of Annual Status of Education Report (ASER), the learning level of Himachal’s students has been rated top. Apart from this, Himachal has also been ranked top in terms of availability of drinking water in schools.