Sports, education must for holistic development of kids: Edu Minister
Education Minister Rohit Thakur emphasised the need for equal importance of sports alongside educational activities during the inauguration of the Under-19 (Girls) Sports Competition at PM Shri Rajkiya Adarsh Senior Secondary School, Saraswati Nagar, Shimla. The event saw the participation of 530 girls from across Himachal Pradesh. Thakur expressed his hope that the participants would excel in the competition and perform well at the state level, bringing pride to the region. He stressed that sports play a crucial role in the physical and mental development of children and can help keep them away from substance abuse.
In his address, the minister underscored the importance of education as a vital sector for any state government, shaping the future of the region and nation. He highlighted Himachal Pradesh’s dedication to education, pointing out that nearly 18% of the state’s budget is allocated to the education sector, placing it among the top five states in India in terms of investment in education.
Thakur also highlighted the government’s efforts to improve the quality of education over the past 20 months. Notably, approximately 7,000 positions in the Education Department have been approved for recruitment, with around 3,000 posts in primary education already filled. Recruitment for 700 lecturer positions in higher education is nearing completion, with appointments to be made in remote areas.
He further announced the resolution of pending promotions for college principals and the filling of 484 Assistant Professor positions last year. Plans are in place to fill around 2,800 vacant posts in the primary education department.
During the event, the minister announced a budget of ?34 lakh for the construction of a stage at Saraswati Nagar School, along with funding for toilet construction in the Science Block. Additionally, he instructed officials to prepare estimates for roof repairs. He also mentioned ongoing construction of a multi-purpose building at Saraswati Nagar College, with an expenditure of Rs 8.36 crore, and a new PG block costing Rs 3 crore. Plans to issue a tender for an indoor stadium are underway.
In closing, the minister mentioned that a National Assessment Survey will be conducted in December to evaluate the quality of education. He encouraged both government and private schools to participate actively, noting that 40% of students in the state attend private institutions. Thakur also called for collective efforts to combat substance abuse, urging students to embrace sports for their overall development.
