Munish Sood
Mandi
Himachal Pradesh Education Minister Rohit Thakur on Wednesday announced that the state government will introduce a comprehensive ranking system for all government colleges across the state, with the process scheduled to begin later this month. The initiative aims to promote healthy competition among institutions and further improve the quality of higher education in Himachal Pradesh.
The announcement was made while the Education Minister presided over the 75th Annual Prize Distribution Ceremony of Government Vallabh Degree College in Mandi, one of the oldest higher education institutions in the state. During the event, he felicitated meritorious students for their outstanding achievements in academics, sports, cultural activities and other co-curricular fields, and wished them success in their future endeavors.
Addressing the gathering, Rohit Thakur said that annual functions play an important role in the lives of students as they provide recognition for hard work and talent. He encouraged students to make the most of their college life while also preparing themselves for future responsibilities. Emphasizing the competitive nature of the modern world, he said that dedication, discipline and perseverance are essential qualities for students to achieve success. He urged the youth to continuously upgrade their skills so that they can effectively face future challenges and contribute to the development of both the state and the nation.
The minister said the present state government is giving top priority to skill-based and employment-oriented education. As part of this vision, the government has decided to introduce a ranking system for all government colleges in the state. He noted that currently only 34 colleges in Himachal Pradesh are covered under the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC). However, the new ranking system to be implemented by the Education Department will include all 134 government colleges, ensuring a broader and more transparent evaluation framework.
He stated that the introduction of the ranking system would foster healthy competition among institutions, encourage academic excellence and ensure the overall development of students. According to him, the initiative will also help colleges improve their academic performance, infrastructure and institutional standards.
Highlighting the steps being taken to strengthen higher education in the state, Rohit Thakur said the government is focusing not only on improving infrastructure but also on filling vacant teaching positions. In 2023, the state government appointed 484 assistant professors in various government colleges. Additionally, approval has been granted to fill 394 more assistant professor posts, and the recruitment process for these positions will begin soon. He also informed that around 103 principal posts in the college cadre have been filled through promotions during the tenure of the current government.
The Education Minister said these efforts have yielded positive outcomes, with Himachal Pradesh currently ranking second in the country in Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in higher education with 43 percent. He added that the state government is also taking concrete steps to strengthen the school education system.
According to him, Himachal Pradesh has made significant progress in national education rankings, improving from 21st position earlier to fifth place in the country. The government has already made 7,000 appointments in the education department, while the recruitment process for 4,000 additional posts is currently underway. This includes the filling of 1,800 JBT teacher posts and 937 TGT teacher posts to further strengthen the school education sector.
Referring to the legacy of Government Vallabh College, the minister said the institution, established in 1948, has made a remarkable contribution to the field of education in Himachal Pradesh. He noted that students graduating from the college have excelled in various fields and brought recognition to the institution, the district of Mandi and the state.
He also highlighted the ongoing construction of a new building for the college and assured that there would be no shortage of funds for the project. The state government has already granted administrative approval of approximately ₹46.17 crore for the building. Of this amount, nearly ₹18.5 crore has already been released, while estimates for the remaining work are being prepared and funds will be released accordingly.
The minister further stated that the matter of granting B.Ed. affiliation to the college will be placed before the Chief Minister. He added that the issue of continuing the college’s affiliation with Sardar Patel University will also be reconsidered.
Former minister Kaul Singh Thakur, who attended the event as a special guest, said that Himachal Pradesh is steadily progressing in the field of education. He credited the efforts of the Chief Minister and the Education Minister for improving the quality of education and helping the state secure the fifth position in the country.
Local MLA and former minister Anil Sharma also thanked the state government for sanctioning adequate funds for the construction of the new college building and urged that the remaining work be completed at the earliest. He congratulated the students who received awards and wished them success in their future careers.
Earlier, college principal Dr. Sanjeev Kumar presented the annual report and highlighted the academic achievements and various activities of the institution. Students also presented colourful cultural performances during the ceremony.
Several dignitaries, public representatives, government officials, faculty members and students were present on the occasion.
