Rajiv Gandhi schools to be made functional soon: Himachal Education Minister

Education Minister Rohit Thakur today said that the foundation stone of Rajiv Gandhi model day boarding schools had been laid and these institutions would be made functional soon. “Additionally, 56 existing schools will be upgraded to day boarding schools,” he added. He chaired a meeting of his department and instructed officials to conduct physical inspection of Atal Adarsh Vidyalayas and submit a comprehensive report.

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He also reviewed the recruitment process for 187 differently abled JBTs and 194 Shastris and asked the officials concerned to expedite the exercise. He directed the officials that the recruitment of drawing masters be completed in a time-bound manner and the postings of teachers be rationalised based on actual enrolment and the requirements of schools.

Rohit stressed the need for strict action, including charge-sheeting, if necessary, against non-performing teachers and schools that record zero results. “The department must also identify and recognise unsung teachers, particularly those serving in remote areas, who are silently contributing to quality education. Meritorious students should be encouraged through timely distribution of tablets,” he added.

The minister said that the rationalisation of colleges would be undertaken from the next academic session, and new skill-based and vocational subjects would be introduced, along with subjects like psychology and sociology in colleges where these were not being taught at present.

To promote sports, the minister said the state would host the Under-19 national level kabaddi and handball tournaments. “The government will fully sponsor the events, which will help boost the state’s image at the national level,” he added. He stressed the need for updating supplementary books to include the state’s history, culture and local heroes, and asked the SCERT and SRGs to submit proposals for curriculum improvement.