SHIMLA: The State Government intends to bring radical changes in the education system in next ten years or so, and my first budget will be much focused on strengthening the education set up in the State, said  Chief Minister, Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu while presiding over the annual prize distribution function of his alma-mater, the Government Senior Secondary School (GSSS) Chotta Shimla, here today.

Time is fast changing and the state government intends to keep pace with the changing system and to bring Himachal Pradesh into the category of modern States with a special focus on education sector in the budget. Education is on priority agenda of State Government and various out of the box decisions were needed to be taken to provide quality education to the students to make them equipped to face challenges in life, said Sh. Sukhu.

Sh. Sukhu said that Rajiv Gandhi Day Boarding Schools would be opened in the state to provide modern facilities for students. The teachers will also be trained for professional courses in order to provide quality education to the students, he added.

 The government will introduce new courses keeping up pace with the modern education system enabling students to take the subjects of their interest. 

The Government has launched the Mukhyamantri Sukh-Aashraya Yojana with an outlay of Rs. 101 crore, which will benefit as many as six thousand orphan children. 

He said that the government would adopt orphans as “The Children of the State” and would bear all their educational expenses, besides pocket money etc. Apart from this, the government will fund their air travel and three-star hotel stay once a year for their educational and recreation trip, he added.

"The hard work always pays-off and is a key to success, stated the Chief Minister, while recalling his childhood memories and said that nothing is impossible, when committed to achieve one's goal through hard work and determination".

Sh. Sukhu further added that at the age of 17, he contested the class representative election in Sanjauli College, and after serving on various platforms, he has now got an opportunity to serve as the Chief Minister of the state.

 He announced rupees two lakh to the students who presented the cultural program.

He also announced to start smart classes in the school with digital displays and facility of online along-with offline studies. The school will have a digital library and digital office and admission will be available both online and offline. Furthermore, the Chief Minister announced Rs. 50 lakh for the school to transform it into a 'Smart School' and added that all the announcements would be implemented within two months.

The Chief Minister honoured his Mathematics teacher Savitri Devi, the sweetshop owner, Tilak Raj Chadha, where he use to have tea and pakoras,  and his fellow mates Manohar Verma, Pramod Sharma, Rajender Shandil, Ramesh Verma, Bhupinder Kanwar, Bal Krishan, Madan Verma, Pramod Chauhan, Kamal Dhaulta, RD Joshi, C Joshi, Devanand Verma, Surender Chauhan and Tilak Raj Chadha on the occasion. He also honoured the meritorious and other students who excelled in various fields.

Earlier, Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu was accorded grand welcome on his first visit to the school after assuming the office of Chief Minister. He also released the school magazine “Gyaneshwari,” on the occasion.

 Education Minister, Rohit Thakur said that it is matter of pride for the students that a pass out from this of this school, has become the Chief Minister of the State through his hard work and dedication.

Rohit Thakur said that the job oriented courses will be started in the technical education institutions of the state, as there is a need to increase the skilled manpower. Principal,  Meera Sharma read out the annual report on the occasion.

A colourful cultural programme was also presented by the school children. The students of the school also made a donation of Rs. 11,000 towards the Mukhyamantri Sukh-Aashraya Sahayata Kosh from their savings.

MLA Harish Janartha, Political Advisor to Chief Minister Sunil Sharma, Principal Advisor (Media) Naresh Chauhan, Sister of Chief Minister Sayogita Thakur, OSD, Gopal Sharma, Secretary Education, Abhishek Jain, Director Higher Education, Amarjeet Sharma, ADC Shivam Pratap Singh, SP Sanjeev Gandhi, other dignitaries and staff of the school were also present amongst other.