Himachal’s school merger proposal to address student-teacher imbalance

In a strategic move to address student-teacher imbalances, Himachal Pradesh Education Minister Rohit Thakur proposed in the upcoming Cabinet meeting to merge middle and high schools with fewer students. Schools with fewer than 20 students and secondary schools with fewer than 25 students will be assessed for possible merger or relegation.

The minister highlighted the clear example of Hansa Secondary School in Lahaul and Spiti district, where eight teachers serve only two students. Officials have been tasked with reviewing high school data to support this initiative.

This initiative reflects a national trend as 76,000 schools across India have already undergone merger processes. Enrollment in government schools has plummeted by 5.13 lakh over the past two decades, prompting discussions on promoting competition and improving education quality between private and government institutions.

(With input from agencies.)