SHIMLA: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Tuesday stated that CBSE-affiliated government schools in the state are set to emerge as premier educational institutions over the next five years.
Presiding over the Founder’s Day celebrations at the historic Bishop Cotton School (BCS Shimla) in Shimla, Chief Minister Sukhu emphasized the state government’s commitment to providing equal educational opportunities for every child. He highlighted that English-medium instruction has been introduced from Class 1 in government schools, alongside affiliating 156 government schools with the CBSE board.
These reform measures have already yielded positive outcomes, leading to an increase of over 24,000 student enrollments in government schools across the state.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister noted that Himachal Pradesh is fast establishing itself as an ideal educational hub by providing students with top-tier learning opportunities. Describing Bishop Cotton School as a beacon of excellence, leadership, discipline, and character building, he acknowledged the institution’s long-standing legacy of guiding generations and setting high benchmarks in quality education.
Recalling his personal connection with the institution, Chief Minister Sukhu shared that he frequently visited the BCS campus during his college years to participate in cricket matches. He remarked that whenever Shimla’s prestigious institutions are discussed, Bishop Cotton School naturally commands deep respect, adding that its alumni have brought laurels to the state and the country through notable achievements globally.
Encouraging the students, the Chief Minister urged them not merely to chase success, but to cultivate a strong character capable of driving meaningful societal change and contributing to nation-building.
Underscoring the government’s focus on foundational learning, CM Sukhu pointed out that Himachal Pradesh achieved a historic milestone by attaining a 99.30 percent literacy rate, officially becoming a fully literate state.
He cited key national benchmarking metrics to reflect the progress made in the state’s education sector:
- ASER Report: Ranked Himachal Pradesh’s children as having the best reading capabilities in the country.
- PARAKH Assessment: Showed a dramatic leap in performance, jumping from 21st position in 2021 to rank among the top-performing states nationally.
- Performance Grading Index (PGI): The Ministry of Education’s latest index saw the state jump seven places to secure 6th position at the national level.
Earlier during the event, Chief Minister Sukhu paid floral tributes at the memorial of the school’s founder, Bishop George Edward Lynch Cotton, and unfurled the school flag.
He also flagged off the school students‘ Mountaineering Expedition 2026 to Mount Yalung Nong (6,090 meters) in Leh-Ladakh, scheduled to take place from July 28 to August 8. The student expedition team includes Amod Talwalkar, Laldinjuala, Altmash Nomani, Tenzin Tsewang, Manraj Singh Grover, and Aman Agrawal.
Prominent dignitaries present on the occasion included MLA Harish Janartha, OSD to CM Sourav Chauhan, BCS Board Member Manav Singh, School Headmaster Matthew P. John, and Shimla Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap.
