Dharamshala (Sudeep Mahajan): BJP Himachal Pradesh spokesperson Sanjay Sharma has criticised the Congress-led state government over the condition of public education, alleging that claims of improvement based on national averages fail to reflect challenges in government schools.
Citing government and media reports, Sharma claimed that more than 150 schools in Himachal Pradesh were operating without a single teacher, while 3,315 schools depended on just one teacher, including 3,214 primary schools and 101 middle schools. He also referred to figures indicating that approximately 47,579 students were enrolled in schools with either no teachers or only one teacher, calling for urgent measures to address the reported gaps.
Referring to the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER), he raised concerns about enrolment trends in government schools and the reported increase in the proportion of out-of-school children aged 15–16, from 2.2 per cent to 3 per cent. He also criticised the government’s school rationalisation policy, arguing that it could create difficulties for children from economically weaker families and remote communities.
Sharma questioned the pace of recruitment to vacant teaching posts and demanded a white paper detailing staffing shortages, recruitment timelines and the government’s plans to ensure adequate teachers in every school. He urged the Education Minister to present a clear, time-bound action plan and warned that the BJP could launch protests if corrective measures were not taken.
The figures and allegations cited in the statement require verification against the latest official education department data and the relevant ASER report. The state government’s response was not included in the statement provided.
