Kendriya Vidyalaya nod for Paonta Sahib a game-changer

Sirmaur district is set to become a major educational hub in Himachal Pradesh as the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) of the Union Government has approved a new Kendriya Vidyalaya (KV) for Paonta Sahib.

For years, parents and educators in Paonta Sahib, Nahan, Shillai, Renuka Ji, Pachhad and surrounding rural areas have been advocating for a Kendriya Vidyalaya to provide high-quality, affordable education. With this approval, students will now have access to CBSE curriculum-based learning from the pre-primary level, supported by modern infrastructure and facilities, right in their own district. The school is expected to benefit thousands of students across Sirmaur by reducing dependence on costly private institutions, curbing the need for long-distance travel and creating equal opportunities for children from both rural and urban backgrounds.

Paonta Sahib now joins other prestigious educational institutions in Sirmaur, including the only Indian Institute of Management (IIM) in Himachal Pradesh, which was established in 2015 and earned the status of an Institute of National Importance in 2017 and the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, established in 1986, and Dr Yashwant Singh Parmar Government Medical College, established in 2016. Together, these institutions are shaping a growing network of top-tier education in the district.

Local parents have welcomed the announcement with enthusiasm. “We have been requesting a Kendriya Vidyalaya for years as private schools are too expensive. This will give our children quality education locally,” said Anil Kumar. Neelam Sharma added, “Many families had to send children outside the district or state. Now our children can study close to home without compromising on quality.”

Suresh Kashyap, Member of Parliament, while thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said: “The establishment of a Kendriya Vidyalaya in Paonta Sahib is a historic step for Sirmaur. I hope that initial classes will begin soon in temporary facilities, with permanent infrastructure to follow in phases. This school will provide high-quality education opportunities for students of remote areas in the district.”

Adding to the joyous occasion, Paonta Sahib MLA and former Power Minister Sukh Ram Chaudhary said: “This is a landmark achievement for our constituency and a long-pending demand of the people of Sirmaur. The Kendriya Vidyalaya will not only uplift the education scenario of Paonta Sahib but also bring hope, confidence and a brighter future for children from every section of society. I wholeheartedly welcome this decision and extend gratitude to the Union Government for fulfilling the aspirations of our people.”