In a pioneering move, the Himachal Pradesh Government has launched the ‘My School-My Pride’ campaign — a significant step towards enhancing the quality of education in the state’s government schools. The initiative falls under the broader ‘Apna Vidyalay’ program and aimed at fostering the community involvement in the improvement of educational institutions.
Under the ‘My School-My Pride’ campaign, individuals and organizations are encouraged to adopt a school of their choice. The adopted schools will benefit from various forms of support, including career counseling, guidance, remedial teaching through special classes, yoga training, and financial contributions. The goal is to create a holistic learning environment that goes beyond the conventional curriculum.
The ‘Apna Vidyalaya’: The Himachal School Adoption Programme (HSAP) — initiated by the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu-led State Government — is designed to establish a synergistic partnership between public representatives, administrative leaders, and skilled professionals to contribute collectively for the improvement of government schools.
Retired teachers or other employees, professionals, housewives, and other members of society are urged to come forward and become a member of the academic support team to teach the students without taking any payment or honorarium, a government spokesperson.
One of the primary objectives of this initiative is to address the shortage of teachers in government schools, particularly during absences. The “adopters” will step in to provide support, and a monitoring system will ensure accountability in this regard.
In addition to individuals, dignitaries such as Members of Parliament (MPs), Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs), and officers are encouraged to adopt a government school of their choice. They will serve as ‘School Patrons’, suggesting ways for improvement and actively participating in the betterment of the adopted institution. Similarly, officers within the Education Department will adopt a school each, acting as “mentors” to facilitate positive changes.
To streamline the program and ensure transparency, the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) will develop a dedicated portal for the ‘Apna Vidyalaya’ initiative. This portal will be accessible to the public, promoting accountability and allowing for real-time monitoring, measurement, and corrective actions.
During its tenure, the BJP Government had also launched a scheme ‘Akhand Shiksha Jyoti – Mere School se Nikle Moti’. The said scheme saw successful alumni from government schools returning to inspire and support current students, showcasing the potential impact of community engagement in education, besides helping the school in whatever way they could.
With these innovative programs, the Himachal Pradesh Government is paving the way for a brighter future for students in government schools, emphasizing the collective responsibility of the community in nurturing the next generation.