Himachal CM says education reforms lifted state to fifth in ranking

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said the state had improved its position in a quality-education ranking after reforms introduced by his Congress-led government. Speaking at a public gathering in Nogli, in Shimla district’s Rampur area, Sukhu said Himachal Pradesh had ranked 21st in quality education in 2021 under the previous Bharatiya Janata Party government. He said it had since moved to fifth position.

The Chief Minister attributed the change to measures including the recruitment of more than 10,000 teachers during the current government’s tenure. He said another 4,000 teachers would be appointed within six months. Sukhu also said more than 150 schools affiliated with the Central Board of Secondary Education had been opened across the state, with about 2,000 teachers appointed to them.

He said the schools were intended to give students, particularly in rural areas, access to quality education closer to home. He said the government was also working to strengthen healthcare and the rural economy, and that financial constraints would not prevent development in education and health. Sukhu said all state government employees had been brought under the Old Pension Scheme, which he pledged would continue while the Congress government remained in office.

The Chief Minister accused the previous BJP government of leaving a debt burden of ₹76,000 crore and employee-related liabilities of about ₹10,000 crore. He also alleged that the previous administration announced projects worth more than ₹5,000 crore during its final six months without making adequate provision for staff and infrastructure. The claims were made as part of his criticism of the main Opposition party.