Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu Issues Key Directives for Education Department
In a significant move aimed at bolstering the quality of education in the state, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu chaired a high-level meeting on Friday. During the session, he issued crucial instructions to the education department, focusing on the welfare of teachers and the expansion of CBSE affiliations for government schools.
Protecting Teacher Promotion Prospects in CBSE-Affiliated Schools
Sukhu directed the education department to ensure that teachers appointed to CBSE-affiliated schools retain their lien in the parent cadre. This measure is designed to safeguard their promotion prospects, ensuring that their career advancement remains unaffected by the transition to these schools. The chief minister emphasized that this step is vital for maintaining teacher morale and encouraging experienced educators to join CBSE institutions.
Accelerating CBSE Affiliation for Government Schools
The chief minister highlighted the state government's commitment to enhancing educational standards by speeding up the affiliation of government schools with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). He announced an ambitious plan to affiliate 140 government schools in the upcoming academic session. In the first phase, 99 schools have already secured affiliation, with the remaining schools currently in the process. This initiative aims to provide students with access to a nationally recognized curriculum and improved learning resources.
Relaxing Service Conditions for Principals
To facilitate leadership appointments in these CBSE-affiliated schools, Sukhu directed the relaxation of service conditions for principals. The required remaining service period has been reduced from three years to two years, making it easier to appoint qualified leaders and ensure smooth administrative functioning. This change is expected to attract more experienced candidates to principal roles, thereby strengthening school management.
Branding and Infrastructure Enhancements
Sukhu also revealed that CBSE-affiliated schools in Himachal Pradesh will feature a unique logo and uniform colour scheme, reinforcing the state government's focus on quality education and creating a distinct identity for these institutions. Additionally, he assured that adequate funding would be provided to enhance school infrastructure, including facilities like classrooms, laboratories, and libraries. The chief minister pledged to personally monitor academic standards in these schools to ensure continuous improvement.
Implementation of 'No Mobile Phone Policy'
During the meeting, Sukhu reviewed the implementation of the ‘No Mobile Phone Policy’ in schools, which is set to begin on March 1. He instructed officials to complete all formalities in time to ensure a smooth rollout. This policy aims to minimize distractions and create a more focused learning environment for students.
Overall, these directives underscore the Himachal Pradesh government's proactive approach to educational reform, with a clear emphasis on teacher welfare, school quality, and student well-being.
