Education Minister Rohit Thakur Inaugurates New School Buildings in Mandi, Reaffirms Push for Quality and Infrastructure Reforms.
Shimla:
Rohit Thakur, Education Minister of Himachal Pradesh, inaugurated newly constructed school buildings worth over Rs. 1 crore during his visit to Kotmors and Majhwar in the Sadar Assembly Constituency of Mandi district on Friday.
The Minister dedicated a newly built academic block at Government Senior Secondary School (GSSS) Kotmors, constructed at a cost of Rs. 71 lakh. He also inaugurated another new building at Government Senior Secondary School (GSSS) Majhwar, completed at an expenditure of Rs. 40 lakh. These projects, he said, reflect the state government’s continued commitment to strengthening educational infrastructure and enhancing the learning environment in government schools.
Addressing a gathering of local residents, teachers, students, and public representatives, the Minister emphasized that education and health remain the top priorities of the present government. He stated that sustained efforts are being made to improve not only infrastructure but also the overall quality of education in government institutions across the state.
Highlighting major reforms, he informed that 148 schools in Himachal Pradesh have been affiliated with CBSE to align them with national academic standards. English-medium instruction has also been introduced in government schools to improve students’ academic competitiveness and broaden their future opportunities.
Speaking about innovative initiatives, the Minister said that for the first time in the state’s history, meritorious students and teachers from government schools are being sent on exposure visits to enhance their academic outlook and professional development. So far, more than 350 teachers have participated in educational tours aimed at adopting modern pedagogical practices and strengthening classroom delivery.
He further noted that Himachal Pradesh has achieved a literacy rate of 99.33 percent — the highest in the country — a remarkable rise from just 7 percent at the time of the state’s formation. He also claimed that the state currently leads even Kerala in reading proficiency levels. To improve administrative efficiency and ensure quality reforms, the Education Department and the Directorate have been integrated into a unified structure, he added.
Detailing achievements in staffing and promotions, the Minister stated that over the past three years, 7,000 regular appointments have been made in the Education Department. The recruitment process for another 4,000 posts is underway through the State Selection Commission and is expected to conclude soon. Additionally, nearly 10,000 long-pending promotions have been granted to teaching and non-teaching staff, including officers up to the Deputy Director level. In a landmark decision, 802 principals were promoted simultaneously — a first in the state’s history.
The Minister also reviewed the development works at Vallabh Government College, Mandi, one of the oldest higher education institutions in the state. He assured that there would be no shortage of funds for its continued development. Approximately Rs. 16.45 crore has been allocated for new construction works at the college, while Rd. 45 crore has already been spent on infrastructure expansion. The remaining funds will be released shortly. He added that institutions where construction has reached 70 percent completion will soon receive the balance budget to ensure timely completion of projects.
On the occasion, the Minister announced Rs. 2.5 lakh for the construction of a stage at GSSS Kotmors and Rs. 8 lakh for additional building works at GSSS Majhwar. To encourage sports activities, he also provided Kho-Kho mats for the schools. Furthermore, he sanctioned Rs. 15,000 from his discretionary fund to support cultural activities of students.
The event concluded with vibrant cultural performances presented by students, reflecting the enthusiasm and talent of young learners. The Minister appreciated their efforts and reiterated the government’s resolve to provide quality education, modern infrastructure, and holistic development opportunities to every child in the state.
