Shimla, Dec 21,
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu faced criticism during the Assembly session over the decision to close 1,094 schools, including 675 with no students, and several institutions established during the previous BJP regime. Addressing the allegations, Sukhu emphasized that only need-based institutions would be reinstated, refuting claims of political bias.
During Question Hour, opposition BJP leaders, including Jairam Thakur, Randhir Sharma, Hansraj, Vikram Singh Thakur, and Rakesh Jamwal, accused the Congress government of politicizing education. Jairam Thakur alleged that Himachal Pradesh’s education rankings had declined to the 22nd position under the Congress-led government. Countering these allegations, CM Sukhu attributed the drop to the BJP’s policies, stating that the state’s rank had already slipped to 21st during their tenure. He criticized the previous government for opening 1,875 institutions without ensuring adequate resources or staff, asserting that the closure of schools with zero or minimal enrollment would not result in dropouts, as students would be supported to attend nearby public schools with the government bearing up to ₹5,000 per student.
Sukhu stressed that new institutions, such as Rajiv Gandhi Day Boarding Schools, would be established based on thorough demographic and geographical studies. He rejected accusations of favoritism, highlighting instances where demands by BJP MLAs for reopening institutions like XEN and DSP offices were honored. Sukhu assured that Congress would not engage in opening institutions for electoral benefits, unlike the BJP, and reaffirmed a commitment to improving education quality. He noted that the closure of underperforming schools was consistent with measures taken in Congress and BJP-ruled states, including Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Chhattisgarh.
Supporting Sukhu’s stance, Education Minister Rohit Thakur disclosed that the state reduced the number of single-teacher schools from 3,400 to 2,600 by appointing 2,000 teachers. He criticized the BJP for opening over 800 schools without sufficient staffing or financial provisions, which, he claimed, contributed to declining education standards. Thakur further noted that BJP-ruled states, including Gujarat, had closed over 76,000 schools in the past decade, showcasing a nationwide trend toward resource optimization.
The Assembly session saw tensions escalate as BJP members staged a walkout, accusing the government of bias in new institutional openings. Randhir Sharma alleged favoritism, citing the establishment of a Camp Office in Dehra, the Chief Minister’s constituency. The Speaker condemned the opposition’s walkout after their 50-minute participation in Question Hour, labeling it “unwarranted and irresponsible.”
Despite opposition criticisms, the Congress government reiterated its resolve to prioritize public needs over political interests while pursuing education and administrative reforms in the state.
