Government officials adopt 100 schools in Shimla district

Nearly 100 schools in Shimla district have been adopted under the ‘Apna Vidyalaya — The Himachal School Adoption Programme’ by the government officials. The scheme has been launched in the state to improve coordination between schools and society and enhance community participation.

Shimla Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap said the officials who had adopted the schools would need to visit respective institutions at least once a month and interact with the students.

“The officials will discuss career options, drug abuse, women empowerment and crime against women, legal awareness, fundamental rights, and fundamental duties with the students,” the DC said.

The officials would also interact with the school staff and School Management Committee to discuss way to improving the quality of education and facilities in the school.

“The officials will have to maintain a record of all suggestions and activities in the School Visitor’s Book. Additionally, the officials will be responsible for monitoring developmental works within the school,” the DC said.

The officials will also work on academic activities, cultural events, sports, attendance and basic facilities. “They will have to submit a progress report every month. The report will be evaluated by comparing it with the previous month’s report,” said Kashyap.

All district-level officials, including SDMs, DSPs, Block Development Officers, Tehsildars and Naib Tehsildars have adopted schools under this programme.

As per the mandate of the scheme, all members of Parliament and Legislative Assembly, senior bureaucrats, district and sub-division level officials would adopt one school each.

They would be known as the patrons of the schools. The scheme has been launched to address the issues like declining enrolment in government schools, to check drop out, especially among girls, to check absenteeism among teachers, to create social pressure on schools to perform and to take care of inadequate infrastructure.