Start public libraries, open gyms: Edu Secy to schools

Education Secretary Rakesh Kanwar has asked schools to convert their libraries into public libraries so that these could be accessed by everyone. Speaking on the last day of a workshop on ‘Quality Education in Himachal’, Kanwar said the schools could take funds for setting up libraries on the condition that these would be open for the public as well. He said the schools could also set up gyms on their premises.

Kanwar said the government had taken many tough decisions at every level in the last two years for the betterment of education, including the merger of schools. Acknowledging the contribution of private schools in providing education, he said these institutions too needed to be taken along.

“The best practices of private schools can be implemented in government schools. At the same time, if private schools want to train their teachers through Samagra Shiksha programme then that could also be considered,” he said.

Kanwar said the suggestions received through this workshop would be considered and implemented. He praised Samagra Shiksha for organising the workshop and bringing former Union Education Secretary Anil Swaroop as a keynote speaker for the workshop.

Meanwhile, Samagra Shiksha Director Rajesh Sharma stressed on the need for training teachers to improving the quality of education. “Samagra Shiksha is preparing a training management module for teachers. Studies could hamper as and when teachers go for training. For this, Samagra Shiksha, along with the Department of Elementary Education and Higher Education, will prepare a training calendar and release it next year so that along with training, educational activities in schools continue smoothly,” he added.

He said the state had sufficient number of teachers, which is proved by the fact that Himachal Pradesh was among the leading states in terms of the pupil-teacher ratio.

Director, Higher Education, Amarjeet Sharma gave his presentation on the “Current Structure of the Education Department – Strengths and Weaknesses”, and emphasised the use of technology to achieve excellence in education.

Director, Elementary Education, Ashish Kohli gave his presentation on recruitment and training of teachers. He said the government was taking steps to overcome the shortage of teachers.

“Batchwise recruitment of TGT and JBT teachers has been completed recently, for which induction training was also conducted by Samagra Shiksha,” he said, urging Samagra Shiksha to conduct batchwise induction training for teachers in future as well.