Floods ravage Himachal schools, education system suffers ₹122 crore loss

Himachal Pradesh’s education system has taken a severe hit this monsoon, with torrential rains, cloudbursts, landslides, and flash floods damaging over 1,320 schools and colleges, causing estimated losses of ₹122 crore, officials confirmed.

At a high-level review meeting with senior education department officials, Education Minister Rohit Thakur expressed deep concern over the widespread destruction and called for swift restoration of affected institutions across the worst-hit districts.

Thakur instructed that Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) funds be deployed “judiciously,” prioritizing schools and colleges with more than 75% structural damage. He mandated submission of fund utilization reports within five days and warned that unspent allocations would be re-routed to institutions in urgent need.

Highlighting the need to fill critical teaching gaps, the minister ordered all sanctioned posts to be immediately forwarded to the Himachal Pradesh Rajya Chayan Aayog and the Public Service Commission for speedy recruitment.

He also warned that Post Graduate Teachers (PGTs) failing to join their new postings on time would forfeit their promotions in favor of the next eligible candidate.

To strengthen classroom quality, Thakur urged deputy directors to identify innovative teaching practices from across districts and intensify school inspections to ensure accountability.

The minister also reviewed the Dr. Y S Parmar Vidyarthi Rin Yojna, directing officials to ensure eligible students receive higher education loans at a 1% interest rate.

A detailed departmental presentation highlighted achievements, ongoing reforms, and initiatives from January 2023 to date, emphasizing both the progress and the challenges ahead as Himachal Pradesh strives to rebuild its education infrastructure after one of the state’s harshest monsoons in recent memory.