Improving education quality priority: Minister

Education Minister Rohit Thakur on Tuesday laid the foundation stone for a new building at the Government Senior Secondary School, Telka in Dalhousie constituency. The project is estimated to cost ?5.46 crore.

Addressing students and local residents after the ceremony, the minister emphasised that improving the quality of education and providing better access to education close to home is a top priority for the state government. He highlighted that quality education was essential for nurturing responsible citizens.

Thakur said that the current educational landscape was evolving, necessitating reforms in the education system to meet future demands. Over the past 18 months, the state government had taken several robust steps related to the education department, which he believes will yield positive results in the future.

The minister mentioned that during the current term, approximately 3,500 new teaching positions have been filled, along with 3,000 promotions within the education department. He asserted that this is the highest number of recruitments in the education sector during the current government’s tenure, aimed at meeting the needs for teachers across various regions of the state.

The minister also addressed the long-standing demand for a school building in Telka, noting that the state government had approved ?5.46 crore for the project in 2023, with ?1.75 crore already released. The remaining funds will be swiftly allocated to the PWD to expedite construction.

The minister assured that the demands of a building for the Government Degree College, Telka, would also be addressed in the next financial year. He expressed commitment to filling various vacant positions in the health department and promised prompt action on this matter.

Former Minister Asha Kumari, Chamba MLA Neeraj Nair, and Chief Parliamentary Secretary Ashish Butail, also addressed the gathering.