Shimla — Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Tuesday inaugurated several newly established, state-of-the-art facilities at the Directorate of Samagra Shiksha, marking a major step towards strengthening digital education governance in Himachal Pradesh. The facilities include the Vidya Samiksha Kendra (VSK), Education Gallery, Programme Management Studio Conference Area, a new Conference Hall and a modern Central Heating System.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said that these advanced facilities would significantly enhance both administrative efficiency and academic monitoring, while ushering in a new phase of data-driven and transparent education governance in the state. He said the initiative reflects the present government’s commitment to placing education at the centre of overall development and long-term social progress.
Focusing on the education sector, the Chief Minister said that during the last three years the state government has given top priority to educational reforms, the positive results of which are now clearly visible at the national level. He highlighted that Himachal Pradesh has made a remarkable leap in education quality assessment rankings, moving from 21st to 5th position across the country. He credited this achievement to the collective efforts of teachers, students and parents, supported by consistent policy decisions and sustained government focus.
The Chief Minister described the Vidya Samiksha Kendra as a key milestone in the transformation of the state’s education system. He said Himachal Pradesh is among the leading states to adopt an integrated digital platform that provides real-time data on teaching processes, learning outcomes, student assessment, attendance, resource utilization and school administration. Initiatives such as ‘Abhyas Himachal’, geo-spatial technology-based smart attendance systems and ‘Nipun Pragati’ are enabling scientific assessment of students’ learning levels. He said that learning gaps are now being identified through data-backed analysis rather than assumptions, making the system more accountable and outcome-oriented.
He further said that the ‘Shikshak Sahayak’ digital tool has emerged as a strong support system for teachers by providing quick access to academic resources, teaching material and guidelines. This has not only improved classroom teaching but has also reduced the administrative workload on educators, allowing them to focus more on students.
The Chief Minister said the government’s approach is not limited to opening new institutions, but also focuses on strengthening and modernizing existing schools and ensuring that quality education reaches remote and rural areas on an equal basis. He said special emphasis is being laid on equipping students with 21st-century skills to prepare them for future challenges.
Announcing a major policy decision, the Chief Minister said that from the upcoming academic session, carrying mobile phones will be completely banned for students from pre-nursery to Class 12 within school premises. Teachers, however, will be allowed to keep mobile phones in staff rooms or in their bags. He said the school curriculum will also be enriched with music, culture and future-oriented subjects to ensure holistic development.
He also announced large-scale recruitment plans in the Education Department, including both temporary and regular appointments. Temporary appointments will be for five years, while regular recruitments will be carried out batch-wise through a competitive process. Recruitment of multi-utility workers will also be undertaken. From the next academic session, sports competitions will be introduced at the primary school level. He expressed confidence that by 2032, every Assembly constituency in Himachal Pradesh will have some of the best schools in the country and that the state will emerge as a national leader in education. He also said the government is considering a new transfer policy and the creation of a special cadre for Rajiv Gandhi Day Boarding Schools and CBSE curriculum schools.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister released the ‘Sankalp Workbook’.
Education Minister Rohit Thakur said that Himachal Pradesh has achieved unprecedented progress in the education sector, with the literacy rate reaching 99.30 percent. He said the state has shown significant improvement in the Performance Grading Index and that initiatives such as free coaching for JEE and NEET for meritorious students are ensuring that financial constraints do not limit students’ aspirations. He also highlighted the success of the cluster school system, which allows nearby schools to share infrastructure, teachers’ expertise and facilities, thereby improving learning outcomes.
Project Director Samagra Shiksha Rajesh Sharma highlighted the department’s achievements and said the state has performed exceptionally well in various national surveys. He added that teachers are being trained at premier institutions such as IITs and IIMs, and modern technology is being increasingly integrated into teaching practices.
To build a future-ready education system, the state government has also signed an important MoU with UNESCO under the Himachal Pradesh Futures Programme, aimed at promoting innovation, advancing Sustainable Development Goals and strengthening global collaboration in education.
MLAs Suresh Kumar and Sudershan Babloo, Director Education Ashish Kohli, Director Higher Education Dr. Amarjeet Singh and senior officers were present at the event.
