According to Himachal Pradesh Education Minister, the state has announced a novel initiative; 'Atal School Uniform scheme', which will be implemented in 2012. He believes that it will bring about a degree of uniformity amongst school students and usher in a feeling of equality among them.
I D Dhiman, State Education Minister on Thursday claimed that the Government in Himachal Pradesh has always focused on qualitative and quantitative education in the State. The Government in the State is of the firm belief that no differentiation should prevail amongst children of haves and haves not in educational institutions. A novel initiative, 'Atal School Uniform scheme' will be implemented from 2012. This will bring about a degree of uniformity amongst school students and usher in a feeling of equality among them, he added.
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While taking to The Pioneer, the Minister said that the scheme has been named after former Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee in recognition of the magnanimous developmental rewards to the State during NDA-led Government at the Centre and the special affection he always had for the people of Himachal Pradesh, his second home.
'Atal School Uniform scheme' envisages providing school uniforms to all students from class 1st to 10th in the Government Schools twice a year in the month of May and October. This will involve an expenditure of Rs. 60 crore annually. Education Minister told that the Government is also implementing various schemes to ensure that students’ especially poor, weaker sections do not face any difficulty in continuing their studies.
He also said that the State Government is also implementing Mukhyamantri Vidyarthi Swasthya Yojna under which free medical check up of all the students is being done in government schools. 15 lakh students were examined last year and those who needed treatment were given medical treatment. In second phase 10 lakh more students would be medically examined this year. All the students are being administered de-worming pills.
Besides a number of schemes implemented to strengthen the present Educational infrastructure, various initiatives have been taken from time to time as a result of which, the dropout rate in schools has considerably declined at the primary level and the State has catapulted to number second position in the field of education in the country. Himachal Pradesh has already achieved 100 % enrolment at Elementary school level and the State has done exceedingly well with regard to access to education, Dhiman said.
