Along with the mental, physical and intellectual development of students, their social development is also very important. Quality education to students makes them responsible citizens, thereby building a thriving society. Under the vibrant leadership of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Himachal is witnessing an era of transformational reforms in the education sector.
The state government has taken numerous innovative steps for the rejuvenation of the education sector, including the ambitious ‘Apna Vidyalaya: The Himachal School Adoption Program’ initiative. Under this initiative, the eminent people of the state are adopting government schools and ensuring their active participation in improving the education sector. The basic spirit of this scheme is to establish better co-ordination between the students and the society.
Under the program, by increasing the collective participation of students, they are being involved in social work. This also prevents youth from being inclined and alienated towards concerning habits like social media and drug addiction etc. Instead, they are being given comprehensive knowledge of other subjects, career counseling and competitive examinations. So far, 427 schools have been adopted by people from different sections of the society, highlighting the success of the program.
It includes 109 Government Senior Secondary Schools, nine Government High Schools, 33 Government Middle Schools and 285 Government Primary Schools. This scheme is increasingly making the youth aware of their responsibilities towards the society. Under the initiative, the persons who are adopting schools are regularly providing career counseling, value based education, legal information and nutritional knowledge to the students, besides drug prevention and control.
They also spread awareness regarding women empowerment and fundamental duties by regularly visiting the adopted schools. The School Patron Campaign, being implemented under the scheme, aims at qualitative improvement in education and teachings by making eminent persons patrons of the school. These patrons regularly organize meetings with the school staff and the SMC. Under ‘My School My Campaign’, along with education, participation of students is being increased in activities like yoga, sports etc as well.
Educational support teams are especially working towards increasing the knowledge of children. Retired government employees, including retired teachers, professionals from various fields and responsible citizens are increasingly coming forward to become a part of this ambitious scheme. Under ‘Apna Vidyalaya: The Himachal School Adoption Programme’, 21 schools have been adopted in Bilaspur district, 48 in Chamba district, 32 in Hamirpur district, 35 in Kangra district, 2 in Kinnaur district, 18 in Kullu district, 66 in Mandi district, 117 in Shimla district, one in Sirmaur district and 96 in Solan district. The scheme aims at establishing a qualitative education system in the state. Positive changes are being made in the education sector by ensuring public participation under this programme.
