In an effort to develop government schools further, the Himachal Pradesh government has launched the “My School-My Pride” initiative, which allows individuals and organizations to adopt schools of their choice. The campaign, launched as part of the ‘Apna Vidyalaya’ programme, encourages voluntary contributions such as career counselling, remedial teaching, yoga training, and financial support.
Under the visionary leadership of Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the state government aims to foster a collaborative partnership between public representatives, administrative leaders, and skilled professionals through the ‘Apna Vidyalaya’: The Himachal School Adoption Programme (HSAP). The programme’s primary objective is to enhance the quality of education in government schools collectively.
A government spokesperson stated, “The ‘Giving back to society’ initiative encourages retired teachers, professionals, housewives, or any member of the community to voluntarily become part of the academic support team. These mentors will guide students without any financial remuneration.”
The “My School-My Pride” campaign aims to develop a support system for government schools facing teacher shortages or temporary absences. Adopters of the project will actively support schools and will be subject to a detailed monitoring system. Furthermore, the initiative urges dignitaries, including Members of Parliament, Members of the Legislative Assembly, and officers, to adopt at least one government school utilizing their expertise as School Patrons to advise reform efforts. In addition, officers in the education department are encouraged to adopt a school and serve as mentors.
To ensure transparency and accountability, the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) is set to develop a dedicated portal for the “Apna Vidyalaya” programme. This portal, accessible to the public, will facilitate online real-time measurement, monitoring, and corrective actions, reinforcing the commitment to excellence in education.
Chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said in a statement issued on Sunday:
Our government is working with the motto of Vyavastha Parivartan, and the Apna Vidyalaya programme aims to foster civic duty, strengthen school vision, and create a sustainable model for educational improvement.
During its time, the BJP government also launched the “Akhand Shiksha Jyoti – mere school se nikle moti” scheme, in which pass-outs from government schools who had achieved something in life would return to schools to inspire students and help the school in whatever manner they could.
This initiative represents a beacon of hope for the public education system in Himachal Pradesh, serving more than 55% of students in government schools. The ”My School-My Pride” campaign is projected to result in a positive transition, emphasizing community engagement and mentoring to improve educational outcomes.
