Historic Dharamsala schools set to merge amid education reforms

Two of Dharamsala’s most iconic educational institutions may soon merge, as part of a Himachal Pradesh government initiative to revamp state-run schools facing low student enrolment.

The Government Senior Secondary School (GSSS) for Boys, established in 1926, and GSSS for Girls, founded in 1932, have been cornerstones of the town’s educational landscape since pre-Independence India. However, both institutions are now grappling with a steady decline in student numbers—largely due to changing educational preferences and the rising popularity of private schools.

Once thriving centres of excellence that produced generations of accomplished alumni, including civil servants and military officers, the two schools now face an uncertain future. To address the challenges, the state government is considering merging the schools to optimize resources and boost academic outcomes.

Education Minister Rohit Thakur, speaking after a review meeting at the Himachal Pradesh Board of School Education (HPBOSE), confirmed the development. “We must rethink our approach to public education. It’s time to modernise and restructure for quality,” he said, noting that he had personally visited both institutions and found enrolment figures to be alarmingly low.

The merger forms part of a broader state-wide reform strategy aimed at creating “centres of excellence” in government schools, equipped with modern infrastructure and digital tools. By consolidating schools, the government aims to ensure better use of faculty and facilities, while improving the overall quality of education.

While the move may signal the end of an era for these historic institutions, officials stress that their rich legacy will be preserved. The spirit of the schools, they say, will continue to inspire future generations through a unified and modernised educational environment.