Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu inaugurated the newly constructed building of Government College Panarsa in Mandi district. The building has been constructed at a cost of Rs. 13.14 crore.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said that education remained one of the key priorities of the state government, and continuous efforts were being made to improve the quality of education through structural reforms. He stated that opening educational institutions should not be limited to constructing buildings, but should ensure that students gain confidence and are prepared to meet future challenges.
Reforms in School and Higher Education
The Chief Minister highlighted various reforms introduced over the past three years in the education sector. A separate Directorate of School Education has been established to strengthen education from Class 1 to Class 12. He said that Himachal Pradesh has progressed from 21st to 5th position in the national education rankings.
English medium has been introduced from the first grade, and 100 schools in the state are being developed on the CBSE pattern, with 40 already affiliated. The objective is to provide students in rural areas with access to improved educational standards.
He also mentioned that structural reforms are underway at the college level with the establishment of a separate directorate for higher education. He noted that some decisions may appear difficult initially but will bring long-term benefits.
New Initiatives for Expanding Access to Education
The Chief Minister said that pre-primary classes have been started in 6297 primary schools to strengthen foundational learning. Rajiv Gandhi Government Model Day-Boarding Schools are being established in every assembly constituency, equipped with smart classrooms, libraries, sports facilities and other modern educational resources.
To support students from economically weaker backgrounds, the Dr. Y.S. Parmar Vidyarthi Rin Yojana has been launched, offering loans up to Rs. 20 lakh at 1 percent interest for pursuing education in India or abroad.
New Courses to Begin at Panarsa College
The Chief Minister announced that B.Voc and B.C.A. courses would be introduced on a self-financing basis at Government College Panarsa from the next academic session to promote employment-oriented education.
Former Minister Kaul Singh Thakur expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister for prioritizing development in the Drang Assembly constituency. He said that starting science classes at Panarsa College would help increase student enrollment and reduce pressure on Kullu College.
Revenue and Horticulture Minister Jagat Singh Negi, former MLA Jawahar Thakur, APMC Chairman Kullu Ram Singh Mian, HPMC Director Joginder Guleria and Zila Parishad Member Anita Thakur were present on the occasion.