Himachal Pradesh Collaborates with UNESCO to Transform Education System

Himachal Pradesh is set to take a significant step toward strengthening its education system by partnering with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). State Education Minister Rohit Thakur has announced that the government will soon sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with UNESCO to implement educational reforms that will ensure quality, equitable, and inclusive education for every child in the state.

While chairing a meeting with a UNESCO delegation, Thakur emphasized the state’s commitment to education, noting that Himachal Pradesh has made remarkable progress in literacy since attaining statehood in 1971. At that time, the literacy rate was a mere 7%, whereas today, it has risen to over 83%. However, he acknowledged that in recent years, there had been some decline in education quality. To address this, the state government has undertaken various reformative measures, which have already begun yielding positive results, as reflected in recent national reports.

Recognizing education as a priority sector, the government has allocated approximately 20% of its total budget to this domain. This substantial financial commitment underlines its dedication to bringing qualitative improvements to the education system. The minister further highlighted the government’s vision of providing high-quality education in rural government schools. To achieve this, the state is establishing Rajiv Gandhi Day-Boarding Schools in a phased manner across all Assembly constituencies. These schools will be equipped with modern facilities, ensuring that students receive a well-rounded education that prepares them for future challenges.

The collaboration with UNESCO is expected to play a crucial role in furthering these efforts. UNESCO’s expertise in teacher training and curriculum development will help Himachal Pradesh introduce innovative teaching methodologies. Education Secretary Rakesh Kanwar suggested that instead of selecting individual teachers from different schools for training, the entire staff and administration of a particular institution should be trained together to enhance teamwork and ensure better results.

Kanwar also highlighted Himachal Pradesh’s strong educational infrastructure, high enrollment rates, and minimal gender gap at the elementary level. Additionally, the state’s universal access to education, robust institutional ecosystem, and successful implementation of vocational and technical courses have contributed to its educational progress. In the past two years, the state government has undertaken a significant school consolidation initiative, further streamlining educational facilities.

Programme Specialist and Chief of Education at UNESCO, Joyce Poan, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting Himachal Pradesh in its education reform journey. She stated that UNESCO, as a global leader in education and teacher training, looks forward to partnering with the state government for a five-year period. The collaboration will focus on training teachers in a phased manner, conducting exchange programs up to the block level, and sharing global best practices to enhance education quality.

During the meeting, Special Project Director of Samagra Shiksha, Rajesh Sharma, provided an overview of Himachal Pradesh’s education system. He stated that with UNESCO’s assistance, the state aims to transform its schools into hubs of innovation, sustainability, and academic excellence. Director of Higher Education Dr. Amarjeet Sharma and Director of Elementary Education Ashish Kohli, along with UNESCO delegation members Shradha Chickerur and Shailendra Sharma, also contributed valuable insights during the discussion.

This long-term partnership with UNESCO is expected to reshape the education landscape in Himachal Pradesh, equipping students with better resources, modern teaching methodologies, and an inclusive learning environment. With a strong emphasis on innovation and sustainability, the collaboration aims to empower students and educators alike, ensuring that the state remains at the forefront of educational excellence in India.

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