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Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Himachal makes daily news reading compulsory in schools to enhance student awareness
SHIMLA: The education department of Himachal Pradesh has directed all government schools to incorporate daily news reading sessions during their morning assemblies. A spokesperson from the Education Department said on Tuesday that following Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu's directives, written instructions have been issued to all Deputy Directors to ensure the mandatory implementation of this initiative in government schools across the state. This decision follows the Chief Minister's recent surprise visit to the Government Senior Secondary School in Baga Sarahan, Kullu district. During his interaction with students, the Chief Minister expressed dissatisfaction over their general awareness level of the students and emphasised the importance of equipping students with practical knowledge alongside their academic curriculum. The spokesperson added that this measure aims to prepare students for competitive exams and real-world challenges by enhancing their general knowledge, critical thinking, and communication skills. He said that all school heads have been instructed to ensure the regular availability of both English and Hindi newspapers in their institutions. These resources are intended to help students improve their reading comprehension, vocabulary, and pronunciation while encouraging public speaking and confident participation in assemblies. The spokesperson further said that this initiative is a step towards fostering a habit of staying informed and developing a deeper engagement with current affairs, thereby promoting the all-around development of students. In an increasingly interconnected world, this step would ensure that our students are well aware of the current events, both nationally and globally. Is your child ready for the careers of tomorrow? Enroll now and take advantage of our early bird offer! Spaces are limited.
United News of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- United News of India
Himachal CM orders mandatory news reading in school morning assembly
Shimla, June 24 (UNI) Stung by a recent incident that exposed glaring gaps in students' general knowledge during a surprise school visit, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has prompted the state education department to implement a significant reform: compulsory daily news reading during morning assemblies in all government schools. The Directorate of Elementary Education issued a formal notification on June 23 mandating this initiative. The directive aims to boost students' awareness of current affairs, sharpen communication skills, and instill the habit of staying informed. The move comes in direct response to the Chief Minister's unannounced visit to Government Senior Secondary School at Baga Sarahan in Kullu, where Class X students were unable to answer basic questions such as the name of India's President and its capital city. The correct answers were, embarrassingly, provided by Class IV students instead. Following the incident, Sukhu expressed deep concern over the declining education standards and directed the education department to take corrective steps. "It is unacceptable that students in higher classes are unable to respond to basic civic knowledge questions," the Chief Minister had said at the time. He also highlighted in the Vidhan Sabha that the state's education ranking had slipped from 8th to 18th position nationally over the past five years. According to School Education Director Ashish Kohli, students will now read headlines from English and Hindi newspapers during the morning assembly, with participation rotating by roll number. Teachers will assist in selecting age-appropriate news focused on general knowledge, science, environment, and important global or national developments—while avoiding sensational content. Libraries would be better utilised, and schools have been instructed to ensure regular newspaper availability. The reading session would be limited to 3–5 minutes to maintain the flow of the assembly. The education department hopes that this reform will not only help students become more informed citizens but also encourage public speaking, improve vocabulary, and enhance critical thinking—marking a shift from rote learning to holistic development in Himachal's government schools. UNI ML RN
Time of India
19-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Govt school in Ropar becomes hub for national-level shooters
ROPAR: A father's quest to support his son's dream transformed a modest govt school in Ropar into a breeding ground for national-level rifle shooting talent. Narinder Singh Banga, a Punjabi teacher at Government Senior Secondary School, Jhallian Kalan village in Ropar district, took the first step to set up a small shooting range at his own expense in 2011-12. Motivated by his son Arshdeep Banga's passion for shooting, Banga shifted to Ropar from Bhauwal village (Nurpur Bedi) and initially set up a makeshift range at Shivalik Club, later moving it to Shivalik Public School, where Arshdeep studied. Within two years, the initiative found a more permanent home at the govt school in Jhallian Kalan, where Banga was posted. Arshdeep was soon enrolled there, and under his father's guidance, began winning medals at state and national level competitions. Today, Arshdeep serves as a coach at the Sahibzada Ajit Singh Academy in Ropar, which houses three shooting ranges, and is the general secretary of the Ropar Rifle Shooting Association (RRSA). He credits his inspiration to Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra. Later, fellow teachers Avtar Singh Dhanoa, lecturer in economics at the same school, and Ranjit Singh, now a retired Punjabi teacher from Shantpur village, joined hands with Banga. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like What She Did Mid-Air Left Passengers Speechless medalmerit Learn More Undo The trio sought donations to build the infrastructure-air conditioning units, basic facilities, and equipment-and laid the foundation of what would become an international-standard range. "Our dream was to provide rural students access to a sport that was earlier considered elite," said Dhanoa, whose twins also passed out from the school after winning gold medals in shooting competitions. The efforts received official recognition and support when the Ropar deputy commissioner provided two international-standard shooting targets in 2022-23. This was followed by a state govt grant of Rs 5.4 lakh. Today, the school has emerged as a hub for aspiring shooters, attracting students not only from Ropar city but also from distant districts like Gurdaspur. Two students from Batala, Jasleen Kaur and Jaideep Singh, have enrolled at Jhallian Kalan School solely to pursue rifle shooting. "Several of our students clinched gold and silver medals at both state and national school championships in 10mt rifle shooting. Two students passed out from our school, including my son Arshdeep and another, Arshdeep Kaur, clinched national gold in the 25 meters shooting range. Currently, there is no shooting range with 25 mt and 50 mt in our district, but only 10 mt rifle shooting. It's rewarding to see our grassroots initiative producing results at such a high level," said Banga, who also served on Punjab's technical team for shooting competitions since 2018. He revealed that one player hailing from Nangal of Ropar district clinched a bronze medal each at the national championship and in Khelo India, in 50 mt rifle shooting, although he didn't take training from Sahibzada Academy or Jhallian village school. Ropar district sports officer Jagjiwan Singh said, "More than 40 students from Ropar district have won state level gold and around 25 have won gold at national level championships in 10 mt rifle shooting."
Indian Express
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Modi is Prez, Shimla is nat'l capital: Class X students' answers leave Sukhu upset
During a surprised visit to Government Senior Secondary School at Baga Sarahan in Kullu district on Wednesday, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu was taken aback when Class X students failed to give correct answers to his two questions — who is the President of India, and which city is the national capital? To his surprise, one student said Narendra Modi is the President of India, and another said 'Shimla is the capital of India. However, the correct answers came from two students of Class IV, giving a sigh of relief to the CM and others, including Kullu Deputy Commissioner Torul S Raveesh and Kullu MLA Sundar Singh Thakur. The visibly upset chief minister pulled up the principal of the senior secondary school for the dismal response from Class X students and told him to focus on the general knowledge of the students instead of merely teaching them textbooks. Sukhu, however, appreciated the primary classes' teachers, whose students answered the questions correctly. According to information, Sukhu made a surprise visit to the school on his way back to Shimla after concluding a two-day visit to Baga Sarahan, where he inaugurated several developmental projects and released Rs 1,500 instalments for women under the Indira Gandhi Pyari Behna Sukh Samman Nidhi Yojna (IGPBSSNY). When Sukhu reached the school morning prayer meeting was in progress. A senior officer accompanying the CM said, 'His visit was unexpected. He didn't tell anyone about this. The idea to visit the school came to his mind at the last moment. It appears he wanted to check the standard of education quality among the students. He was upset when students of Class X failed to answer two simple questions, which Class IV students correctly answered.' When contacted, Director of Elementary Education, Himachal Pradesh, Ashish Kohli said, 'It is a matter of concern if students of Class X failed to answer the simplest questions and students of primary classes answered them. I will look into this matter. As the CM has issued instructions to focus on the general knowledge of the students, the instructions will be strictly followed.' Later, interacting with the teachers, Sukhu emphasised providing practical knowledge to the students, apart from the routine curriculum, and imparting competitive general knowledge as well. Sukhu also interacted with the students and encouraged them to set clear targets and work hard with dedication to achieve their dreams. He advised the students to adopt noble values and ideals in their lives. He said the old school building from Pre-Nursery to Class VIII must be replaced with a modern school building. Earlier, the CM met residents at Public Works Department Rest House in Baga Sarahan and listened to their grievances. He also gave necessary directions to the officers concerned for the redressal of the same.
The Print
18-06-2025
- Politics
- The Print
School teachers must focus on providing practical knowledge: CM Sukhu
He took feedback from teachers regarding various issues they were facing and asked students about their future plans, a statement issued here said. Sukhu visited the Government Senior Secondary School Baga Sarahan under the Nirmand sub-division of Kullu district and interacted with students and teachers there. Shimla, Jun 18 (PTI) Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh said 'practical knowledge' and general knowledge should be given to students apart from the routine curriculum while speaking at a school in Kullu on Wednesday. The chief minister urged students to set clear targets and work hard to achieve their dreams. He also said the old school building from pre-nursery to class VIII must be replaced with a modern school building. Earlier, Sukhu met with residents at the public works department rest house, heard their grievances and gave necessary directions to concerned officers for redressal. On Tuesday evening, the CM participated in a programme aimed at reaching out to rural areas. Addressing a gathering at the remote Baga Sarahan village, Sukhu said programmes such as 'Sarkaar Gaon Ke Dwar' programme aim to solve problems of people in rural areas close to their homes, saving their time and money. The CM said he made it a point to stay overnight in remote villages for such programmes as it enabled him to better understand the day-to-day problems faced by people. According to the statement, he also urged the youth to take full advantage of the self-employment opportunities being provided by the state government and stay away from 'social evils' like drugs. PTI BPL SKY SKY This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
