Kendriya Vidyalayas Approved for Kotkhai and Paonta Sahib

Education Minister says approval granted based on state government’s proposal

Education Minister Rohit Thakur announced that the Central Government has approved the establishment of two new Kendriya Vidyalayas in Himachal Pradesh — one at Kotkhai in Shimla district and the other at Paonta Sahib in Sirmaur district.

Addressing a press conference in Shimla yesterday, Thakur said the approval was granted by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, based on proposals submitted by the state government. These two schools are among the 57 new Kendriya Vidyalayas sanctioned across the country.

The minister stated that the institutions will provide education from the pre-primary level onward, following the CBSE curriculum in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. “Thousands of children in the state will now have access to quality education and modern infrastructure closer to home,” he said. “These schools will also help reduce the need for students to migrate elsewhere in search of better learning opportunities.”

He further noted that each Kendriya Vidyalaya directly employs around 80 teaching and non-teaching staff, while related construction and ancillary activities create additional opportunities for both skilled and unskilled workers, boosting the local economy.

Thakur added that the state government will continue to seek the establishment of more centrally sponsored institutions, particularly in aspirational and educationally backward districts. “These initiatives and reforms in the education sector reflect our vision to transform Himachal Pradesh into a knowledge hub,” he said, “ensuring that every child has equal access to quality education, modern facilities, and opportunities for excellence.”