SHIMLA-13^th December, 2025

A new chapter in digital transformation of education

· CM inaugurates state-of-the-art educational infrastructure at Directorate of Samagra Shiksha

· Government committed to develop 21st century skills among students : CM

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today inaugurated newly established, state-of-the-art facilities at the Directorate of Samagra Shiksha, including the Vidya Samiksha Kendra (VSK), Education Gallery, Programme Management Studio Conference Area, New Conference Hall and a modern Central Heating System.

While addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said that these advance facilities would not only enhance administrative and academic efficiency but would also mark the beginning of a new era of digital education governance in Himachal Pradesh. He said that this initiative reflects the visionary approach of the present state government and it would place education at the core of overall development.

Sh. Sukhu said that during the last three years the state government has accorded top priority to the education sector and implemented several decisive reforms, the positive outcomes of which were now clearly visible. He highlighted that Himachal Pradesh has made remarkable progress at the national level by improving its ranking in education quality assessment from 21st to 5th position. This achievement was the result of the collective efforts of teachers, students and parents, coupled with the firm commitment of the government to educational excellence.

He said that the Vidya Samiksha Kendra represents an important milestone in this transformative journey. Himachal has emerged as one of the leading states to adopt an integrated digital platform that provides real-time data related to teaching, learning outcomes, student assessment, attendance, resource management and school administration. Innovative initiatives such as ‘Abhyas Himachal’, geo-spatial technology-based smart attendance systems and ‘Nipun Pragati’ were ensuring scientific analysis of the learning levels of the children. He said that learning gaps are now being identified through data-driven insights rather than assumptions, making the education system more transparent, accountable and outcome-oriented.

The Chief Minister further said that the ‘Shikshak Sahayak ’ digital tool has emerged as a powerful support platform for teachers, enabling them to access teaching material, guidelines and academic resources swiftly. This has significantly improved teaching quality while also reducing the administrative burden on educators.

He said that the government was not only focusing on establishing new institutions but on strengthening and modernizing existing educational institutions, besides ensuring quality education reaches remote and rural areas on an equal footing. He said that the state government was making concerted efforts to equip students with 21^st century skills.

The Chief Minister also announced that from the upcoming academic session, there would be a complete ban on students carrying mobile phones within school premises from pre-nursery to Class 12th class. Teachers, however, would be permitted to keep their mobile phones in staff rooms or in their bags. He said that the government was working with determination to ensure quality education and that the school curriculum would be enriched with music, culture and future-oriented subjects.

He said that the state government was planning large-scale recruitments in the Education Department, including both temporary and regular appointments. Temporary appointments would be made for a period of five years, while regular appointments would be carried out batch-wise through a competitive process. Recruitment of multi-utility workers would also be undertaken. From the next academic session, sports competitions at the primary school level would be organized. He expressed confidence that by 2032, every Assembly constituency in the State would have some of the best schools in the country and that Himachal Pradesh would emerge as the number one state in the field of education. He said that the government was also considering to introduce a new transfer policy in the department and also contemplating to create a special cadre for Rajiv Gandhi Day Boarding Schools and CBSE curriculum schools. He said that the Education Department has providing the their cooperation to the Government.

On the occasion, the Chief Minister also released the Sankalp Workbook.

Education Minister Rohit Thakur said that state has achieved unprecedented progress in the education sector, with the State’s literacy rate reaching 99.30 percent. He said that the government has undertaken qualitative reforms with a positive approach, which were being widely appreciated at the national level and now yielding positive results . He said that the implementation of the cluster school system was ensuring optimal utilization of resources, under which schools located within a radius of 300 to 500 meters have been developed as a cluster. This model has enabled the department the shared use of libraries, laboratories, sports facilities and expertise of the teachers, thereby improving both access to quality education and the overall learning experience.

He said that state has also shown significant improvement in the Performance Grading Index (PGI). The provision of free coaching for JEE and NEET for meritorious students was a landmark initiative of the Government which was ensuring that financial constraints do not become a barrier for children's future. He also detailed on various initiatives undertaken by the department.

Project Director Samagra Shiksha Rajesh Sharma highlighted the achievements of the Samagra Shiksha. He said that the State has performed exceptionally well in various national surveys. The teachers were being provided training at IITs and IIMs and the use of modern technology was being ensured to further enhance teaching competencies.

To build a future-oriented education system the state has also signed an important MoU with UNESCO under the Himachal Pradesh Futures Programme. It was aimed at promoting innovation in education, advancing Sustainable Development Goals and strengthening global collaboration.

MLAs Suresh Kumar and Sudershan Babloo, Director Education Ashish Kohli, Director Higher Education Dr. Amarjeet Singh and other senior officers were present on the occasion.

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Statewide special drive intensifies ‘Chitta-Free Himachal’ Campaign

• 254 isolated locations inspected, 596 vehicles checked across state

On the directions of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Himachal Pradesh Police carried out a special and intensive State-level operation on Friday, as part of the State-wide Anti-Chitta movement launched on 15th November, 2025, to strengthen the campaign for a “Chitta-Free Himachal.”

As part of this coordinated drive, the police carried out extensive inspections and thorough searches at identified deserted, isolated and semi-public locations across the State. These included secluded hill slopes, forest patches, abandoned buildings, vacant rooms, parking areas, river banks, old bus stands, garage sheds and other vulnerable spots often misused for drug-related activities.

During the State-level operation, a total of 254 deserted and semi-public locations were inspected and 596 vehicles were checked across Himachal Pradesh. The drive was executed uniformly and effectively across all police ranges, reflecting strong inter-range coordination and operational preparedness.

In the Southern Range, intensive searches were conducted in Solan, Kinnaur, Sirmaur and the Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh area. The Central Range covered Mandi, Kullu, Lahaul-Spiti, Hamirpur and Bilaspur districts, while in the Northern Range, special action was taken at identified locations in Kangra, Nurpur, Dehra, Chamba and Una districts.

During the operation, 301 persons were checked and counselled and blood/urine samples of 9 individuals were collected as per legal procedure. Nine criminal cases were registered under the NDPS Act and other relevant legal provisions. Persons found at isolated or deserted places were appropriately counselled, documented and, wherever required, handed over to their family members after due verification.

The State-level Anti-Chitta drive was carried out in a fully systematic, intelligence-based manner with strong inter-district coordination to ensure lawful, safe and effective enforcement.

The primary objective of the campaign is to prevent youth from falling into the trap of chitta and other drugs, and to dismantle group-based drug-use tendencies developing at secluded locations that often lure young people into substance abuse.

The Himachal Pradesh Police reiterates the appeal made by the Chief Minister to all citizens, especially the youth, to immediately share any information related to chitta or drug activities by dialing 112 or contacting the nearest police station. The identity of informants will be kept strictly confidential.

Under the decisive leadership of the Chief Minister and with active public participation, the Himachal Pradesh Police remains firmly committed to eliminating chitta from the State.