Himachal Pradesh to merge 54 schools amid low enrolment
In a bid to optimise resources and streamline the state’s education system, the Himachal Pradesh government is preparing to merge 54 schools, including 29 high schools and 25 senior secondary schools, due to low student enrolment. The Directorate of Higher Education has prepared a list of schools with minimum student strength and submitted the details to the government for approval. Schools with less than 15 students in high schools and less than 25 students in senior secondary schools will be merged under the restructuring process.
The proposal states that high schools with inadequate enrolment will be downgraded to middle schools, while senior secondary schools will be reclassified as high schools. Classes IX and X of these high schools will be integrated into middle schools, while Class XI and XII of senior secondary schools will be merged with nearby high schools.
The final decision on the proposal will be taken during the upcoming cabinet meeting, in which Education Minister Rohit Thakur will stress the need for this change. Thakur said, “The status of high and senior secondary schools with fewer students will be downgraded to ensure better utilisation of resources. The education department has sought a detailed proposal, and we will act accordingly.”
The initiative follows a similar initiative last month, where the government merged 419 primary and middle schools with less than five students. In that case, primary schools within a two-kilometre radius and middle schools within a three-kilometre radius were consolidated, to ensure better allocation of resources. Additionally, 99 primary and middle schools with zero student enrolment were closed.
The merger of these 54 schools is expected to improve the management of educational resources and provide a better learning environment for students. It is part of a larger effort by the state government to address challenges posed by declining student numbers in some areas, ensuring more efficient utilisation of staff, infrastructure and educational resources.
The state’s education system, which already grapples with a scattered population and uneven student distribution, is undergoing reforms to ensure that resources are concentrated in schools that can provide a more robust educational experience. The government’s decision to merge schools is being seen as a step towards building a more sustainable education infrastructure in Himachal Pradesh.
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