Under-populated institutions to be Closed by Himachal government and Nearby Institutions to increase the Seats
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu
10 March 2025, Shimla: Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has announced a complete overhaul of Himachal Pradesh’s education system. Speaking at the annual function of Rajiv Gandhi Government College, Chaura Maidan, Shimla, Sukhu announced a package of Steps to remove deficiencies in the education infrastructure in the State and said that the State Government was committed to providing quality education to the students.
Despite being in difficult circumstances, Sukhu, in his address, stressed on laying the foundation of self-reliant Himachal Pradesh. He asserted it is imperative for the state to use the resources prudently, and the benefits of the government are pass to all sections of the society and not to a privileged class for political benefits.
A New Approach to Education
The Chief Minister announced a number of things but the most noteworthy was to shut the educational institutions with less student count. These schools will be closed from the next academic session, said Sukhu. But the step is not meant to drop students one step away from education. Instead, the seats will be merged into nearby institutions that can provide better facilities and quality education. The state will also cover the travel expenses of students who are forced to travel to these new expanded schools.
“You can’t run schools with such a small number of students so we have decided to close underpopulated institutions,” Sukhu said and added that the move is aimed at improving the quality of education in the state. “The emphasis is not merely on establishing more schools but also on improving educational standards to prepare students to meet challenges of the future,” he said.
Expanding Access to Education
Along with closing, the Chief Minister also informed that in the next academic session, co-education will be started at government senior secondary schools situated at district headquarters to provide access to all in education. Sukhu stated that this step would ensure that children do not consider education lesser for any particular gender and that the state was tirelessly working towards making its education more inclusive and gender-neutral so that each student gets a fair chance.
Besides the state government is trying to set up Rajiv Gandhi Day Boarding Schools in every assembly constituency. While this will ensure much better schooling experience, the infrastructure is being augmented with facilities like swimming pools, indoor stadiums and other sports infrastructure as well. In the next academic session, ten of these schools will get started.
He added that the previous rulers opening hundreds of institutions for different purposes were only to gain political mileage as they established more 900 schools in their last six months of government. But Sukhu’s regime is putting the quality of education first, believing that a well-rounded education system is at the heart of the state’s future success.
Traditional Alternative: Commitment to Improving Government Schools
The chief minister also articulated his feelings on the day in relation to government schools. “I myself studied in a government school and I have become Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh. If I could be the Chief Minister then children of government schools can also reach any goal in life,” he said. This message was a high affirmation of the potential of the government educational institutions and also strengthened the Chief Minister’s resolve about that quality education is essential for empowering the youth of Himachal Pradesh.
The state government has no desire to distribute degrees, the Chief Minister said, adding that the objective is to provide the youth with a world-class education so that they shall face the challenges of the future with utmost confidence. He announced that the next five years would be an Era of Revolution in Education System in Himachal Pradesh which would be made World Class and there would be no shortage of funds by the state government to realise this vision.
The Pillars of Higher Education Reform
In another major step towards reforming the state’s higher education system, Sukhu claimed to have taken action to this end. The Chief Minister also announced the establishment of a single Directorate of Education, which would bring all educational institutions from nursery to 12th grade under a single umbrella. This move is intended to streamline the education system and better coordinate various levels of schooling.
Also, Chaura Maidan based Rajiv Gandhi Government College will soon have a central heating system to enhance the infrastructure of the institution. Sukhu also informed that the college would start in the next academic session post-graduate courses in the subject of Economics, Political Science and English, thus creating more opportunities of higher education to the students in the state.
Honoring Meritorious Students
On the occasion, the Chief Minister also gave away the awards to the meritorious students of Rajiv Gandhi Government College. The students would map excel in their academic achievements, emphasizing the need for effort and commitment to value in spreadsheets.
Other dignitaries such as MLA Harish Janartha, Municipal Corporation Mayor Surinder Chauhan, Deputy Mayor Uma Kaushal & Himachal Pradesh Youth Congress President Chhater Singh were also present in the event.
Looking Ahead
These reforms will contribute to improve the quality of education in the State and it is apparent that the Sukhu government aims at enhancing the quantum of education. Quality not quantity is the vision of Chief Minister, to make the students of Himachal Pradesh ready for the challenges of 21st century. Students will have more opportunities and resources at their disposal to better prepare for a successful future as the new changes take effect.
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