34 Kangra schools likely to shift from HP Board to CBSE

As many as 34 government schools of Kangra district are likely to be transferred from the Himachal Pradesh Board of School Education (HPBOSE) to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) under a fresh decision of the state government. The Directorate of Education had earlier released an official list of 100 schools, but the government was now considering to add 15 more, raising the tally to 115 schools.

Kangra, the largest district in the state, accounts for the highest number, with 19 schools already in the first list and another 15 being shortlisted for government approval, an education department official said.

The directorate has sought detailed records of these schools. An official notification is expected soon. However, the names of the 15 additional schools have yet not been disclosed. Under the plan, a co-education system will be introduced in all schools being transferred to the CBSE. Separate boys’ and girls’ institutions will be merged, enabling joint classes. Where student strength is high, one school may function as a high school and the other as a senior secondary school.

The state government has maintained that the decision is aimed at improving the quality of education. However, the move has sparked opposition from employees of the Himachal Pradesh Board of School Education, Dharamsala, who fear job losses. Last week, the employees staged a protest in Dharamsala against the transfer of schools. Meanwhile, it has been learnt that inspection teams of the CBSE from Delhi will soon visit selected schools to assess infrastructure and readiness. Institutions marked for transfer will be required to meet CBSE norms and regulations before affiliation is finalised, ahead of the next academic session.