Himachal's Government School Merger: A Crisis in Education

Himachal Pradesh's Education Minister, Rohit Thakur, announced the merger of 419 government schools with low student counts to rationalize teacher deployment. With declining enrollments due to migration and a preference for private schools, the decision is part of broader efforts to address the falling education standards and low learning levels in the state.

Himachal Pradesh's Education Ministry has merged 419 government schools with fewer than five students each, consolidating them with nearby institutions. Education Minister Rohit Thakur revealed this development during a session at the Vidhan Sabha on Wednesday, responding to a BJP inquiry.

The merger includes 361 primary schools within a 2-kilometer radius and 58 middle schools within a 3-kilometer radius, aimed at optimizing teacher deployment. Thakur attributed the low enrollment to a shift towards private schooling and rural-to-urban migration.

Student numbers have sharply declined over the past two decades, from 90 lakh in primary schools in 2003 to 2.99 lakh in 2023. Middle and senior secondary schools also saw significant drops. The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) indicates a slip in educational standards, with Himachal Pradesh falling to the 21st position nationwide.

(With inputs from agencies.)