Education Minister Rohit Thakur Inaugurates New Academic Building at Alsu School, Approves Additional Floor.
Shimla:
Education Minister Rohit Thakur yesterday inaugurated a newly constructed academic building at Government High School, Alsu, in the Sundernagar Assembly constituency of Mandi district. The newly inaugurated infrastructure includes an Art and Craft Laboratory, an Integrated Science Laboratory, and a Library building, constructed under the Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) at a cost of Rs. 35.27 lakh.
Addressing the gathering, the Education Minister said that due to the shortage of space, school classes were earlier being conducted in a private building, which adversely affected students’ studies. With the completion of the new building, this long-standing problem has now been resolved. He informed that construction of the building began in November 2024 and was completed within a year. The construction work was executed by BSNL.
The minister said that to ensure timely completion of development works, the government is assigning construction projects not only to the Public Works Department but also to other competent agencies. On the demand raised by former Chief Parliamentary Secretary Sohan Lal Thakur, the Education Minister approved the construction of an additional floor above the newly built structure, for which budgetary provisions will be made.
Rohit Thakur further stated that nearly 130 educational institutions across the state are being affiliated with the CBSE Board. Responding to the demand for affiliating Daher School with the CBSE Board, he assured that the proposal would be considered sympathetically.
Highlighting reforms in the education sector, the Education Minister said that the department is working in line with the Chief Minister’s vision of quality education. He termed it a major achievement that Himachal Pradesh has secured fifth place at the national level in the education sector, while adding that the government remains committed to further improvement.
The minister also shared updates on recruitment in higher education. He said that cases for filling 387 posts of Assistant Professors in colleges have been forwarded to the commission. Pending promotions of principals since 2016 have been regularized, and around 800 principals have been given one-time promotions. Additionally, posts of Deputy Directors have been filled in all districts. The recruitment process for 937 Trained Graduate Teacher (TGT) posts has also been completed by the State Selection Commission, and selected candidates will be posted in remote schools.
Former Chief Parliamentary Secretary Sohan Lal Thakur lauded the Education Minister’s leadership, stating that significant qualitative improvements have been made in the education sector, enabling Himachal Pradesh to move from 21st to fifth position nationally. He said that during the current tenure, a record number of posts have been filled in the education department, and the recruitment process continues uninterrupted.
He further added that during the previous government’s tenure, 45 schools in the Sundernagar Assembly constituency had no teachers, whereas at present, there is no school without teachers. Posts of college principals have also been filled through promotions.
Among those present on the occasion were Panchayat Samiti member Raj Kumar, SDM Sundernagar Amar Negi, Deputy Director of Higher Education Yashveer Dhiman, Principal of Government High School Alsu Mani Ram Thakur, school staff, and other dignitaries.
