Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister today said that this hill state is committed for the education of girl child as it was giving emphasis on their education. “You educate a man, you educate a man. You educate a woman, you educate a generation” a quote by American colonizer and saint Brigham Young carries weight when we educate a girl child, said Chief Minister Shri Virbhadra Singh while presiding over the annual prize distribution function of Government Girls Senior Secondary School Portmore today.
The education is such a powerful weapon which could change generations and for me, he said, education was to become a seasoned citizen of the Nation and contribute in its development. Education enlightens the heart and the mind which directly effects the personality, individual growth and discipline in one’s life said the Chief Minister.
He said the State Government was endeavoring to educate the girl child and in this direction had opened many schools and colleges in far flung and rural areas to facilitate the girl child for attaining basic and higher education at their door-step. He said the literacy rate of the State has increased from 31.71 percent in 1971 to 84 percent.
Under “Mukhya Mantri Shikshak Samman Yojna” the Government has decided to give one year extension in service to such teachers, who have consistently given 100 percent results in board examination for a period of last five years, he said. CM Virbhadra Singh said that to promote healthy competition amongst students and strengthen learning activities in schools. Net Books to meritorious students of 10th and 12th were being given under “Rajiv Gandhi Digital Yojna”, besides numerous scholarship schemes have been started. He said that under “Mukhya Mantri Gyandeep Yojna” interest subvention of four percent would be given to all Himachali students availing educational loan from banks and apart from this a one time financial assistance of Rs 75000 was being given to students seeking admission in AIIMS, IIT, etc.
The Chief Minister announced a sum of Rs. 50,000 for promoting cultural activities in the school and directed for expansion of the kitchen of the girls hostel. He also announced for construction of common room in the school premises. He released the school souvenir and distributed prizes to the students excelling in sports, academics and other curricular activities.