Himachal poised to become "knowledge state" of country

Shimla, July 24 (UNI) Himachal Pradesh has achieved the distinction of being the first state in the country to hit the target of 100 per cent enrolment of children in the age group of 6-14 years, official sources claimed.

This has been possible due to the schooling facilities which have been provided within walkable distance of 1.5 kms.

According to an offical spokesman yesterday, the government was spending about Rs 1208 crore in this vital sector during the current financial which comprises 13.90 per cent of the total budget.

The state has a vast network of 10,613 primary schools, 3752 upper primary schools, 943 high schools, 714 senior secondary schools and five special schools besides 62 colleges and three Universities.

As many as 8,97,402 children have been enrolled in primary and upper primary schools, perhaps the largest number in the country.

The drop out rate in the primary stage has also come down to 0.89 per cent.

Himachal Pradesh is the first State in the country which is provding free education to the girl child at all levels, including professional courses. National programme of education for girls at elementary level and Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya Scheme was being implemented in seven educationally backward blocks where the female literacy rate is lower than the National Rural Female Literacy rate.

He said English had been introduced from Class one onwards in all the government primary schools in order to check the out-flow of children from these schools to private English medium schools. one to The government was ensuring that the students studying in the rural schools, besides getting quality education, also have access to other basic amenities such as adequate class rooms, drinking water and toilets. As many as 3682 primary and middle schools have two class rooms.

The government has decided to construct 10,527 additional rooms in next two years, the spokesman added.

To ensure sufficient teachers in the schools, especially in remote and tribal areas, the government has formulated HP Prathmik Sahayak Adhayapak/Primary Assistant Teachers scheme.Under this scheme, 3410 Primary Assistant Teachers had been appointed.

Computer literacy progamme has been stated in 282 schools. Under this programme, the students would not only be given elementary knowledge of computers but the mainstream subjects would also be taught through computers, he added.

UNI XC-HS AK DB0904