For the first time, students from Himachal Pradesh's government schools have been sent on an international educational tour.
On Friday, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu sent off 50 talented students for an 11-day academic tour to Cambodia and Singapore. The group will return to India on February 17. During the trip, the students will visit historical sites and learn about the culture, architecture, and scientific advancements of both countries.
Before they left, the Chief Minister gave the students tablets and travel kits. He also asked them how many were visiting Delhi for the first time and shared his own experience of his first visit to Delhi when he was in college.
Congratulating the students, the Chief Minister emphasised that they are the future of the country. Their dreams, education, and knowledge will help make India a strong and developed nation. He said this trip is not just a tour, but a great opportunity to learn and expand their global views. He also announced that next year, 100 top students, including orphans, would be sent on a similar trip abroad.
He mentioned that the state government is committed to helping orphaned children, who are now considered 'Children of the State.' The government ensures their education and welfare until they turn 27. Last year, a group of such children was sent to Goa as part of this initiative.
Sukhu also pointed out that the current government prioritises education and has made important decisions to improve it. For example, 200 teachers were sent to Singapore to learn global best practices.
The government is also arranging high-level training for teachers from top institutions in India to improve education quality. The government aims to make sure everyone has equal access to state resources.
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The Chief Minister shared that English medium classes have started from grade 1 in all government schools in the state, and Rajiv Gandhi Day Boarding Schools are being set up. He promised more programs to improve education and health in the upcoming budget, with a focus on strengthening the rural economy.
Encouraging the students, he shared his own story of studying in a government school and said that with hard work, they can achieve anything.
Education Minister Rohit Thakur explained that the current government inherited a poor education system and financial challenges from the previous BJP government. However, efforts have been made to improve education, and the results are showing.
Under the BJP, 60 per cent of the education budget was not used, while the current government has successfully utilized over 95 per cent of the budget in two years.
To address the shortage of teachers, the government has recruited over 3,000 teachers and is filling the remaining positions. By March 31, no school will be without a teacher. The Education Minister added that Cambodia was chosen for the visit because it is home to the world’s largest Hindu temple and other important historical sites.
One of the selected students, Smriti Jaryal from Chamba district, expressed her gratitude, saying she never imagined she would have the chance to travel abroad. She thanked the Chief Minister for the opportunity and shared that she had been chosen under the cultural category.
Mayor Surender Chauhan, Former CPS Sohan Singh Thakur, State Project Director Rajesh Sharma, and other dignitaries also attended the event.
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