6,127 govt schools in HP have less than 20 students: Minister

SHIMLA: Several BJP legislators got into heated arguments with the members of opposition at Himachal Pradesh assembly on Friday, over declining enrolment in government schools.

During question hour, Jawalamukhi legislator Ramesh Chand Dhawala sought information on the number of schools in the state with less than 20 students.

In his reply, education and parliamentary affairs minister Suresh Bhardwaj said that there are 6,127 schools with enrolment of less than 20 students. He added that there are 4,994 government primary schools, 1,092 middle schools, 32 high schools and nine senior secondary schools in the state where student strength is less than 20. Bhardwaj said that schools were opened indiscriminately for political gains. Last year, 80 schools in the state had no enrolment at all, he added.

Reasoning the decline, he said that parents preferred to send their children in private schools, as government schools did not offer pre-primary classes. Bhardwaj said that the ruling government has started pre-primary classes in 3,300 with a total of 50,000 students.

LACK OF QUORUM HALTS BUDGET SESSION

The discussion on the ongoing Budget session was delayed in the assembly on Friday due to lack of quorum. The opposition targeted the government and staged a walkout of the assembly.

The house was adjourned for a lunch break at 1pm and was to reassemble at 2 pm. The house reassembled at 2pm but at least one-third of the total members were not present.

BJP, CONGRESS MLAS

SPAR IN ASSEMBLY OVER DECLINE IN SCHOOL ENROLMENT IN STATE