Himachal Cabinet meeting: 99 schools with zero enrolment to be shut

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Shimla, July 25

In a significant move aimed at rationalisation of government schools with low enrolment, the Cabinet today decided to close 99 schools with zero student strength apart from deciding to order transfers of teachers in the Education Department annually at the end of the academic session.

Teachers’ transfers at end of session

• The decisions taken include the transfers of teachers annually at the end of the academic session.
• Merger of Government Primary Schools within a 2-km radius and Government Middle Schools within a 3-km radius, if they have five or less students.

The decision was taken by the Cabinet at its meeting held here today under the chairmanship of Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. The schools with zero enrolment which will be closed include 89 Government Primary Schools and 10 Middle Schools. The Cabinet also approved the merger of Government Primary Schools within a two-km radius and Government Middle Schools within a three km radius, if they have five or less students.

The decision to order transfers of teachers only once a year at the end of the academic session has been taken to put an end to mid-session transfers as this was adversely impacting the studies of the students.

Education Minister Rohit Thakur said these decisions have been taken to ensure quality academic standards in the government schools. “Our priority is to impart qualitative education as Himachal, which was ranked among top three states in the country, had slid down to 18th position, which is worrisome,” he stated.

The total enrolment in government schools from Class I to Class XII in Himachal which was 10.50 lakh 20 years back has now dipped to 7.50 lakh. Similarly, the number of students in Class I, which was 1.32 lakh now stands at a mere 49,000 in Himachal.

Thakur said the Education Department is in the process of recruiting 1,200 JBT teachers. “Priority in appointment will be given in the 322 primary schools without any teacher. Apart from this, 3,400 out of 10,500 primary schools have single teachers. The newly recruited teachers will be posted in these schools also,” he said. He said efforts would be made to appoint teachers and fill up vacancies in the tribal, remote and difficult areas.

The Cabinet also made it mandatory for all teachers, including Head Teachers, Centre Head Teachers, Headmasters and Principals, to teach the students and take classes. He said residential schools will be set up in Kinnaur and Lahaul Spiti for which sites will be selected.

The Cabinet mandated all schools to hold morning assembly with the national anthem and that High and Senior Secondary Schools unfurl the national flag daily. Physical education will be a compulsory daily period in all schools and training in CPR and First Aid will also be provided in collaboration with the Health and Ayush departments.