Himachal Education Minister Sets Deadline Amid Natural Calamity Challenges

Himachal Pradesh Education Minister Rohit Thakur set a deadline for promoted lecturers to join duty by September 18, warning that failure to comply would lead to the forfeiture of promotions. Thakur emphasized the intolerance of indiscipline and absenteeism, urging Deputy Directors to ensure compliance with leave procedures.

Leading a review meeting on educational reforms, Thakur highlighted the commitment to uninterrupted learning, despite challenges posed by recent natural calamities, which damaged over 1,100 schools with losses estimated at Rs 59.5 crore. A total of Rs 64.35 crore has been released for restoration in severely affected schools. Restoration efforts are being prioritized, with strict deadlines for fund utilization.

During the meeting, Thakur also demanded fast-track investigations into cases relating to POCSO and financial irregularities, stressing the need for accountability and frequent school inspections. He stressed on teacher rationalization based on student enrollment and called for offering a range of academic streams in every constituency.