339 kids showcase talent at Shimla school’s speech day

Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Minister Chander Kumar on Wednesday inaugurated the district-level under-19 girls’ sports competitions at Government Model Senior Secondary School, Kotla, in the Jawali Assembly constituency.

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As many as 517 girls from 15 education blocks across Kangra district are participating in the three-day event, which includes volleyball, kabaddi, kho-kho and wrestling.

Addressing the players, the minister exhorted them to gain proficiency in sports, and to explore opportunities that would help shape their careers in sports.

He said sports were as important as academics for students. On the occasion, the minister, who is also the Jawali MLA, distributed 27 tablets among 27 primary teachers of Kotla and Jawali education blocks.

He said the state government was emphasising on promoting digitalisation of education and administrative works of government schools. “The government has a target to distribute over 17,000 tablets to primary school teachers in a phased manner. These tablets will keep their knowledge updated, and assist them in teaching pupils effectively in the schools,” he added.

Expressing concern over the decline in enrolment in government schools, the minister advised elected representatives of panchayati raj institutions to ensure that the trend improves.

The minister said Rs 15 lakh was given for the development of the Kotla school playground. Using these funds, an outdoor gym had been set up. The remaining amount would be spent on a playground and other developmental works on the school premises, he added.

During the rainy season, the water from the local Dehar rivulet had damaged houses and fields in the Kotla area, Kumar said. “As a permanent solution to this problem, a provision of Rs 5.74 crore has been made for the channelisation of the rivulet, the construction of which will be started soon,” the minister added.