Himachal Pradesh govt orders immediate closure of 99 schools that have zero students, transfer of teachers now restricted to once a year at end of academic session
The Himachal Pradesh government has announced a slew of important measures aimed at restructuring schools with low student enrolment and improving the quality of education across the state. In a decisive move, the government has ordered the immediate closure of 99 schools that have zero students. This includes 89 primary schools and 10 secondary schools.
Shimla, July 31: The Himachal Pradesh government has announced a slew of important measures aimed at restructuring schools with low student enrolment and improving the quality of education across the state. In a decisive move, the government has ordered the immediate closure of 99 schools that have zero students. This includes 89 primary schools and 10 secondary schools.
As part of the restructuring, the government has ordered primary schools with five or fewer students to be merged with nearby primary or secondary schools that have more than five students, provided they are within a two-kilometre radius. Similarly, secondary schools with five or fewer students will be merged with other secondary schools within a three-kilometre radius. The initiative aims to consolidate resources and provide better educational facilities and learning environment for students.
Teacher Transfers and Assignments-
In a significant policy change, teacher transfers will now be restricted to once a year at the end of the academic session. With immediate effect, no teacher will be transferred after July 31, 2024. Junior Basic Teachers (JBTs) and Head Teachers (HTs) will be transferred within the education department, ensuring only one HT in each government primary school (GPS). Additionally, HTs will handle teaching responsibilities along with their administrative duties.
Teachers from closed or merged schools will be redeployed to nearby schools with higher student population after the approval of the education secretary. Excess teachers will be pooled at the director level and redistributed as needed to effectively balance the student-teacher ratio.
Headmasters and principals currently holding administrative positions will now have to teach their subjects in at least one class. Central head teachers and head teachers of primary schools will also be engaged in teaching duties equivalent to that of JBTs, with their teaching contribution recorded in their Annual Confidential Reports (ACRs).
The government has also introduced compulsory physical exercises during morning prayer assemblies in all state schools, with at least 15 minutes dedicated to these activities. Physical education teachers will oversee these sessions and in schools that do not have dedicated physical education staff, other teachers will take over this responsibility. Additionally, a daily period will be devoted to sports and physical training and schools will provide training in CPR and first aid.
Use of closed school assets and pilot residential schools-
The fixed assets and resources of closed or merged schools will not be transferred to other institutions or departments. Instead, these resources will be repurposed as community libraries, gymnasiums and centres for sports activities with the permission of the education department and consent of local bodies.
In districts with significantly low student enrolment such as Lahaul and Spiti (121 primary schools) and Kinnaur (29 primary schools), the government plans to explore the possibility of setting up residential schools. A pilot project for these residential schools will be launched in Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur districts.
Additionally, separate schools for boys and girls with declining enrolment will be merged with co-educational institutions, wherever feasible. The merger aims to optimise the use of available resources and improve the quality of education.
The education secretary has directed the director of primary education to prepare standard operating procedures for implementing these decisions and ensuring compliance.
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