Himachal Pradesh has become India’s fourth fully literate state with a literacy rate of 99.3 per cent, but Education Secretary Rakesh Kanwar said the challenge ahead lies in improving the quality of education, consolidating schools, and equipping young people with skills to meet new opportunities.
Edited Excerpts:
What does it mean for Himachal Pradesh to be officially recognised as a fully literate state?
Achieving near-universal literacy means a great deal for the state of Himachal Pradesh. First, it reflects the people’s commitment to education as a core value. When Himachal Pradesh became a full state of the Indian Union in 1971, the literacy rate was very low. The state was often described as backwards and geographically difficult, and while some of that was true, the people demonstrated their determination to improve human development indicators.
Just one generation later, the state had electricity in every household, a target achieved as early as the 1990s. Even at the launch of the District Primary Education Programme (DPEP) in 1995, a precursor to the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Himachal Pradesh had already achieved universal primary education.
Being a fully literate state signifies that education has consistently been placed at the top of the agenda. Successive governments have worked to make education accessible, affordable and available to every child. The state today has universal enrolment, zero dropout, high transition rates at all levels of school education, and one of the highest gross enrolment ratios in higher education in the country.
While younger children went to school, there was also a section of the population initially left behind who could not attend. They, too, came forward as part of literacy campaigns that began in the 1990s. Himachal joined the Total Literacy Campaign under the National Literacy Mission, launched in 1988, which saw strong public participation, voluntarism, and active involvement from women and youth groups.
Over time, the programme went through several phases and approaches, but Himachal remained at the forefront. The state has recorded literacy above 90 per cent for a long time, with only the last-mile gap proving a challenge. That gap has now been bridged, with the latest evaluation placing literacy at 99.3 per cent.
Education Minister Rohit Thakur has said that Himachal Pradesh allocates nearly 17 to 18 per cent of its total budget to education. How do you assess the impact of this investment, and which areas still require focused attention?
The impact of Himachal Pradesh spending nearly 17 to 18 per cent of its total budget on education has been profound. A landmark moment came in 1995 with the publication of the People’s Report on Basic Education, commonly known as the Probe Report. This independent survey highlighted Himachal’s progress, noting that education was being delivered equitably through government schools across all sections of society, including scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, minorities and the girl child. The report dedicated a chapter to the state, titled Education Miracle in Himachal Pradesh, underscoring its achievements even before national programmes such as DPEP, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan began.
Decades of sustained investment have ensured universal enrolment, zero dropout at primary and elementary levels, and one of the highest school transition and gross enrolment ratios in the country. The network of government schools, along with more than 18,200 Anganwadi centres, has created a culture where every family values education. The state is now integrating pre-schooling into foundational learning, in line with the National Education Policy.
However, challenges remain. Declining population growth has led to shrinking school sizes, with some schools having fewer than five children. At the same time, nearly 35 per cent of students have moved to private schools over the last two decades, citing better teacher availability. As a result, the priority now shifts from expansion to consolidation, with greater emphasis on quality, adequate staffing and restructuring to meet the evolving needs of learners.
With schools, colleges and anganwadis affected by the recent floods in Himachal Pradesh, how much of the Rs 1,500 crore financial assistance announced by the Prime Minister will be allocated to restoring education infrastructure?
We hope a substantial portion of the financial assistance will be allocated to the education sector. The State Revenue Department, which serves as the nodal agency for disaster relief and mitigation, has received our assessment of the damage. Himachal Pradesh has been severely affected, with widespread destruction across roads, bridges, buildings, water supply schemes, electricity and other public infrastructure.
Education, along with health institutions and Anganwadis, is among the sectors impacted. The state government will need to balance allocations across these priorities. Nevertheless, we expect to receive funding to rebuild schools and educational institutions, which will significantly aid in restoring the damaged infrastructure. At the same time, several mitigation measures are planned to ensure better preparedness for any future disasters. The final allocation will be determined by the Government of India, and we hope that a meaningful share will be directed towards addressing the losses in the education sector.
What measures does Himachal Pradesh plan to implement to maintain and sustain near-universal literacy over the long term?
Himachal Pradesh is well-positioned to sustain near-universal literacy, as the importance of education has long been recognised by its people. While the state has a presence of industries such as pharmaceuticals and tourism, the majority of traditional employment has been in the government sector. However, with growing opportunities in the private sector, including outside the state, there is an increasing need for skill-based education alongside formal schooling.
The focus is now on building the capacity and capability of the young population to compete in emerging sectors. While universal access, retention and completion at school and higher secondary levels remain priorities, the key challenges lie in ensuring quality, reaching far-flung areas, and providing opportunities for marginalised groups, particularly girls, scheduled caste and scheduled tribe populations.
Integrating foundational education with skills development is also critical, in line with the national emphasis on twenty-first-century skills, lifelong learning and entrepreneurship. The aim is to cultivate a generation capable of creating employment rather than solely seeking it. Maintaining high standards is an ongoing challenge, as recent years have shown fluctuations in basic competencies such as reading, writing and numeracy. Nevertheless, by fostering a culture where education is valued, Himachal Pradesh aims to focus on quality improvement, which will guide the state’s long-term strategy for sustaining literacy. |
