Shimla: Education Minister Rohit Thakur Directs Acceleration of Quality Education Reforms and Strengthening of Sports Hostels
Shimla: On Thursday, Education Minister Rohit Thakur presided over a meeting with senior officials of the Education Department and directed to accelerate ongoing reforms in quality education across the state. He emphasized that improving education standards and strengthening institutional infrastructure is a top priority of the current government.
He highlighted that 39 boys’ and girls’ schools were recently merged into co-educational institutions to optimize infrastructure and teaching staff utilization. Additionally, notifications will soon be issued to close 39 schools with zero enrollment.
The minister also instructed that transport allowances be provided on time for students traveling more than two kilometers. Colleges with fewer than 100 enrollments will also be merged, ensuring no adverse impact on employees’ jobs.
Regarding sports infrastructure, Thakur directed that new and upgraded sports hostels be made operational immediately. Facilities for volleyball, kabaddi, boxing, and handball have been established in schools in Shimla, Sirmaur, Jubbal, and Bilaspur. Pending diet funds of ₹1.2 crore will be released promptly, with transparency ensured.
He further instructed training programs for newly promoted principals, filling vacant positions, and removing the minimum age limit of 23 years for teacher recruitment. He expressed satisfaction over the operational facility for NCC cadets at Kullu airport, eliminating the need to travel to Jalandhar.
The meeting was attended by Education Secretary Rakesh Kanwar, Project Director Rajesh Sharma, Higher Education Director Dr. Amarjeet Sharma, School Education Director Ashish Kohli, and other senior officials.
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