TNR News Network
Shimla: In view of the worsening monsoon conditions across Himachal Pradesh, the state government has ordered the closure of schools for students during periods of heavy rainfall. However, teachers and non-teaching staff will continue reporting to school campuses, where they will be required to conduct online classes and complete pending administrative work.
In an official directive issued by Education Secretary Rakesh Kanwar, Deputy Commissioners (DCs) have been authorised to make school closure decisions under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, whenever adverse weather poses a threat to student safety. The move comes as torrential rains and landslides continue to damage infrastructure across the hill state.
Students exempted from physical attendance
Education Secretary Kanwar clarified that student safety remains the top priority and they are exempt from attending classes physically during inclement weather. However, the teaching and administrative workforce is expected to utilise these days productively.
Teachers have been instructed to conduct online classes from within school premises, update data on PMIS and UDISE portals, complete pending records related to the mid-day meal scheme, lesson plans, creative and formative assessments, and finalise any outstanding work related to School Management Committees (SMCs) and Samagra Shiksha.
84 schools damaged in Mandi alone; losses estimated at over Rs 2.5 crore
The decision comes as alarming reports of infrastructure damage pour in from across districts. In Mandi, heavy rains from June 29 to July 1 have damaged more than 84 school buildings, causing an estimated loss of Rs 2.26 crore to 81 primary schools. The actual number is expected to rise as damage assessment reports from various education blocks are still awaited.
In Bagsyad education block, landslides and flashfloods have severely damaged several school campuses. Government Primary School, Surah, has been completely destroyed, with damages pegged at Rs 20 lakh.
One of the two blocks at Sumna school has collapsed while the other is filled with debris, incurring another Rs 10 lakh in damages. At Daran school, the boundary wall has crumbled entirely, resulting in a loss of Rs 3 lakh. Keyolidhar school suffered Rs 2 lakh in damages as its safety wall collapsed.
The Deputy Director of Higher Education has so far reported damage to three higher education buildings, amounting to losses worth Rs 14 lakh.
Govt urges caution and use of digital infrastructure
While the Education Department has not declared a state-wide school closure, it has empowered district-level authorities to take swift decisions in response to localised weather threats. The government has emphasised the continued use of digital learning platforms to maintain academic continuity, especially in vulnerable regions.
As the India Meteorological Department (IMD) continues to warn of heavy to very heavy rainfall in many districts until July 9, schools across Himachal are bracing for extended disruptions, relying on online learning and remote management to navigate the ongoing crisis.
