Education Minister calls for skill-based learning at Chopal school centenary

Education Minister Rohit Thakur has urged teachers to focus on imparting skill-based and employment-oriented education to prepare students for a self-reliant future. He was addressing the centenary celebrations and alumni meet of PM Shri Government Senior Secondary School of Excellence, Chopal, where he attended as the chief guest.

Extending his congratulations to the students, faculty, alumni and local residents, the minister said the school has long stood as a cornerstone of education in the Chopal region. “Many of its students have achieved distinction at both the state and national levels,” he added.

Highlighting the government’s commitment to strengthening educational infrastructure and ensuring quality learning, Thakur assured the school of full support in upgrading and expanding necessary facilities.

He noted the state’s remarkable progress in education since Independence, stating that Himachal Pradesh’s literacy rate had grown from just 7 per cent in 1947 to 99.30 per cent — placing it among the leading states in the country.

The minister informed the gathering that the state currently operates nearly 15,000 schools and 133 colleges, providing education to thousands of students.

As part of continued efforts to boost education in the region, Thakur announced that the state government has sanctioned Rs 3 crore for the Chopal constituency. The funds would be utilised for the development of educational facilities.

He also stated that a special meeting will soon be convened to address all school-specific demands, with efforts being made to accommodate them within the existing budget. “Demands involving major financial requirements will be prioritised in the upcoming budget,” he said.

To commemorate the occasion, Minister Thakur released the school’s centenary souvenir and honoured alumni members, celebrating the school’s enduring legacy and contributions to education over the past 100 years.