Shimla: Himachal Pradesh chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has pledged to ring-fence education and health spending from state budget cuts, prioritising “quality learning” despite tightening fiscal constraints.Speaking at a higher education reform conference on Tuesday, Sukhu unveiled a strategic pivot towards specialised institutions. A new science college is already coming up in Hamirpur with an initial ₹20 crore allocation. To support this expansion, the state is currently recruiting 800 members of trhe academic staff, including 400 assistant professors.In a bid to foster competition, Sukhu launched a new “league table” ranking system for govt colleges. The Tier I winner is Hamirpur Govt College. The Tier II winner is Bhoranj Govt College, while Tier III winner is Kaffota Govt College. Top-tier institutes were awarded ₹1 lakh to recognise their excellence. The CM also emphasised the need for modern vocational courses and language programs to boost student employability in the remote mountain region.Digital and Cultural GrowthThe state simultaneously inaugurated digital initiatives for colleges in Bilaspur and Dharamshala to bridge the rural-urban divide. Sukhu noted that while digital infrastructure was essential, the “vital role” of teachers in building student self-confidence remained the cornerstone of Himachal Pradesh’s reform agenda. MSID:: 129634494 413 |
