Daijiworld Media Network – Shimla
Shimla, May 16: In a significant reshaping of the education landscape, the Himachal Pradesh government has shut down 1,200 schools over the past two and a half years, citing zero or minimal student enrolment. State Education Minister Rohit Thakur confirmed the move on Thursday, stating that 450 schools were closed due to zero enrolment, while others were merged as part of a rationalisation drive.
Addressing a press briefing, Thakur said, “The state is taking important steps to strengthen the education system. Schools with negligible enrolment are being reorganised or merged to optimise resources and improve educational outcomes.”
He added that any school from Classes 6 to 12 with fewer than 25 students is being considered for merger, and about 100 additional schools with zero enrolment are likely to be denotified soon.
In a move welcomed by education staff, the state has regularised 778 part-time water carriers, who had completed over 11 years of service, against vacant Class IV positions. “This fulfils a long-standing demand of these employees,” said Thakur.
To address staffing gaps, the government has sanctioned 15,000 new teaching positions, including 3,900 in primary education. An additional 3,100 posts will soon be filled through the Himachal Pradesh Rajya Chayan Aayog.
The minister criticised the previous BJP-led administration for stalling recruitment in the education department. “While the previous government recruited 511 lecturers over five years, we have appointed 700 lecturers in just two and a half years,” he said.
In a bid to boost pre-primary education, the government is in the process of recruiting 6,200 nursery teachers. Additionally, over 200 acting principals have been regularised, and 483 assistant professors have been inducted into the higher education department.
Despite the closures and reorganisations, the state’s education outcomes remain promising. According to the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) released in January 2025, students from government schools in Himachal Pradesh have demonstrated some of the best reading skills nationwide. On most performance indicators, the state has been rated the top-performing state in school education.
Thakur concluded by affirming that reforms are ongoing with a singular focus — “to ensure that quality education is accessible, equitable, and efficiently managed in every corner of the state.”