Boost for School Education as Himachal Gets ₹720 Crore Under Samagra Shiksha

In a significant push to strengthen school education, Himachal Pradesh has secured a grant of ₹720 crore from the Central Government under the Samagra Shiksha scheme for the current financial year. The funding is expected to enhance both quality education and vocational training across schools in the state.

Out of the total allocation, nearly ₹360 crore has been earmarked for improving quality education, while around ₹130 crore will be used to expand vocational education programmes, helping students gain practical skills alongside academic learning.

The approval was granted during the Project Approval Board (PAB) meeting of Samagra Shiksha held in New Delhi on Tuesday. The meeting was chaired by Sanjay Kumar and attended by senior officials from Himachal Pradesh, including Education Secretary Rakesh Kanwar and State Project Director Rajesh Sharma.

Officials shared that the state had initially sought ₹746 crore, and nearly 97 per cent of the revised demand has been approved. The slight variation is attributed to a structural change, as the Atal Tinkering Lab programme has now been separated from the Samagra Shiksha framework and will function independently, with funds released separately.

During the meeting, detailed discussions were held on key areas such as digital education, smart classrooms, infrastructure development, teacher training and inclusive education. The implementation of the PM POSHAN scheme and initiatives aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) also featured prominently in the discussions.

The Central Government placed special emphasis on technology-driven learning, including the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in classrooms, and improving overall learning outcomes. Officials said this focus reflects the evolving needs of modern education and aims to prepare students for a rapidly changing world.

Sources revealed that the Himachal Pradesh Government had initially prepared a proposal worth nearly ₹1,000 crore, which was later revised in line with the budget limits set by the Centre before final submission. Preparatory discussions were also held earlier during a pre-PAB meeting, where key aspects of the proposal were reviewed.

With this substantial funding support, the state is expected to take important strides in making education more inclusive, skill-oriented and technology-enabled, ultimately benefiting thousands of students across Himachal Pradesh.