Auckland House School

Auckland House School, Shimla in 1910

Auckland House Girls' High School in 1945. Courtesy: Bryan White

Jean Ballantyne & Muriel Baker, teachers at Auckland House Girls' High School, Simla. 1947. Courtesy: Bryan White

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CM inaugurates newly constructed block of Loreto Convent Tara Hall

 Loreto Convent Tara Hall School has maintained its education and cultural heritage at an all high since its inception and is one of the best schools providing quality education to girls, stated Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh.

Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh inaugurating  newly constructed Block of Loreto Convent Tara Hall School at Shimla on 27.6.2016

He was in the school today invited as Chief Guest along with his wife and Chairperson, State Red Cross Society Hospital Welfare Section, Pratibha Singh to inaugurate the newly constructed block named after sister ‘Gonzaga’ and named as Gonzaga Block. The total cost incurred on erecting and finishing the new Block was around Rs 16 crore.
While congratulating, Chief Minister said that yet another feather had been added in the cap of the school history, which requires to be celebrated.
He also announced a sum of Rs 40 lakh for the school.
There were quite few globally recognised old schools both for Boys and Girls in Shimla hills catering to the educational needs of the students and Tara Hall was one of them.
Referring to the past, the Chief Minister said that the entire idea of construction of additional block for the school was of Sister Anita Borganza, who initiated the process eight years before and requires special mention. The united efforts of the school staff, the children and the parents, who all contributed in one way or the other to let the dream come true also needs to be appreciated, he said.
The Chief Minister congratulated all those who contributed in building a magnificent building.  He also released a special cover of the postal department on the occasion.
Sister Anita Borganza recalled the efforts and the hurdles she faced after school badminton court caved in due to landslide back in 2008 and from where the idea to construct an additional big building for the school occupied her mind. She thanked the Chief Minister for the generous donation on the occasion.
Earlier, Sister Stephini Rodrigues, who is also the principal of the school welcomed and honoured the Chief Minister and Pratibha Singh.
The School children gave spellbound cultural presentation, besides a play on save the girl child and the schools Rock-Band performance by both Senior and Junior girls was appreciated by one and all.
Bishop, Diocese of Chandigarh and Shimla, Ignatius Mascarenas, Mayor, Sanjay Chauhan, Deputy Mayor, Tikendar Panwar, Chief Post Master General, Major General AK Shouri, were also present on the occasion amongst others.

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Auckland House School commemorates 150 years of its existence

The Children and staff of Auckland House School, Shimla, in commemoration of completion of its 150 years on Friday, visited Holly Lodge, the residence of the Chief Minister, where Mr Virbhadra Singh and former Member of Parliament Smt. Pratibha Singh joined the children in their celebration and flagged off its march-past and sliced a cake on the occasion.

 The Choir and Band girls, singing choirs and playing School band qued upto Holly Lodge, the palatial building of British India, from where the school started functioning back in 1866.

Later, while addressing the august gathering in the holy Christ Church at Ridge, wherein the entire school had gathered to celebrate the occasion, the Chief Minister said that 150 years for any educational Institution was no less a period from the very begining and above all to sustain till day, retaining its old charm and glory and maintaining high standards of education.

 The Chief Minister said that he wishes the school may get more strengthened and prosper in times to come and achieve the infinite heights. He said that Auckland was one of the best educational institution amongst the few best in Shimla and added that it was due to the co-operation, faith and love of the people that the school was able to grow and impart best education besides instilling discipline and benevolence in the Children.

 It was a matter of great pride that the school, along with the passage of time has adopted latest trends and techniques, said the Chief Minister.

 The Chief Minister congratulated the Principal, the staff, children on the historic event.

He also released a book titled ‘Book of Thoughts’ on the occasion.

Earlier, Most Reverend PK. Samantha Roy, who is also Bishop and Chairman of Auckland House School addressed the gathering and thanked the Chief  Minister for gracing the occasion.

Principal, Sunita John, also welcomed and honoured the Chief Minister.

 Urban Development Minister, Mr Sudhir Sharma was also present on the occasion.

EWS children still to get 25% quota in private schools of Himachal Pradesh

Six years have passed since the RTE was enacted and around four years after it was notified in Himachal, but the provisions are yet to be implemented in a full spirit in the state. A cabinet note in this regard was also prepared by the education department for a meeting that was held in Dharamsala in February, but was not discussed due to unknown reason.

Last year, there was an exercise to frame rules under the RTE, but the government failed to implement 25% quota for the economically weaker section in all private schools of the state. Going by the government record, there are over 18,000 schools across Himachal, of which over 2,500 are private ones. According to the RTE norms, there should be over 18, 882 seats reserved for the EWS children across the state. However, the Supreme Court, in April 2012, had ordered that RTE Act would be applicable only for day schools and not in private minority schools.

The state government, in 2011, had issued a notification in this regard (RTE), but the process of framing rules was still underway. A source, on condition of anonymity, said that the government was mulling on framing fixed rules for reimbursement to private schools. He said, "As per the RTE norms, private schools will reimburse the amount of tuition fee incurred on admitting children belonging to weaker section. As per rough estimates, the reimbursement will be over 20 crore annually, which will increase yearly." He also said that the children from EWS would not be provided mid-day meal in private schools.

Meanwhile, most of the states have implemented the scheme and Delhi has performed fairly well by admitting about 33,000 EWS children as against reserved 35,000 seats, while neighbouring Uttarakhand has 27,579 seats reserved, of which 20,491 has been filled.

Difficulties being faced
Heavy reimbursement
Already adequate schools in government sector
Yearly decreasing number in government schools
No mid day meal in private schools

Source:Hindustan Times
Read full:http://www.hindustantimes.com/himachalpradesh/ews-children-still-to-get-25-quota-in--private-schools-of-himachal-pradesh/article1-1339283.aspx

Chief Minister inaugurates Arts Block of Rajiv Gandhi Degree College

Chief Minister Shri Virbhadra Singh today inaugurated Arts Block of Rajiv Gandhi Degree College Chaura Maidan constructed at a cost of Rs. 3 crore, the new Science Lab Block and Examination Hall of Government Senior Secondary School, Phagli constructed at a cost of Rs. 1.36 crore and new Science Lab Block of GSSS Lalpani constructed at a cost of Rs. 95.5 lakh in Shimla. 

Speaking during a function at Rajiv Gandhi Degree College Chaura Maidan, the Chief Minister said education was one of the top priority sectors of the government. He said that semester system had been introduced in the Colleges of the State from this academic year which aimed at bringing qualitative improvement in higher education. 

Chief Minister said that the Rastriya Uchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) was being initiated in a phased manner by changing to semester system and Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) in first year of under graduate courses. The enrolment had gone up to 73.738 this year which was 68,248 during last year. He said that semester system had also been introduced in most of the colleges with a view to manage the studies in a better way. He called upon the students to devote their maximum time towards their studies. 

Shri Virbhadra Singh said that apart from studies, students should imbibe good values of discipline and equality. He said that preamble of Indian Constitution should be displayed not only in office of the Principals but also in every class room of the colleges so that students could know about the very essence of Indian Constitution. He said that students who got opportunity for higher education were fortunate enough and they should make maximum use of it as many students could not pursue higher education due to various reasons. 

Chief Minister said that students should refrain from politics and devote themselves towards studies as politics was not their main avocation adding that their goal should be to secure future. He said that Government had opened colleges in remote and far-flung areas to provide facility of higher education to the students living in villages. 

Shri Virbhadra Singh said that Government Degree College Sanjauli in Shimla was made College of Excellence during his previous tenure. He stressed the need to open one college of excellence in each district to facilitate the meritorious students. He said that more colleges and schools would be opened as per requirement as government was committed to provide quality education to all nearer to their home.

Earlier, speaking at GSSS Lalpani, Chief Minister said that this school was the oldest Government School of Shimla town, which had produced many talents. The foundation stone of Art Block of this school was laid by him in 2007 and the renovation & restoration of old building was also done. He said that this school would be made a Modal School and the playground would be extended and a multipurpose hall would also be constructed beneath it. He said that a hostel would be constructed for the Scheduled Caste and Tribes students of the school. He also announced Rs. 20,000 for the culture programme presented on the occasion. 

Chief Minister also inaugurated the newly constructed block of Science Lab and Examination Hall of GSSS Phagli. On the occasion, he said that State had made rapid progress in education and the State literacy rate had gone up to 83.78 per cent as per 2011 census. He said that Commerce Classes would be started from next academic year in this school. He also directed the Public Works Department to cover the school boundary with barbed wire. 

He announced Rs. 20,000 to the school students for presenting the colourful culture programme on the occasion.

Chief Parliamentary Secretary (Education), Shri Neeraj Bharti said that State had excelled in education and government was striving to improve the infrastructural facilities in educational institutions. He said that Science, Mathematics and Vocational subjects were being started in the schools and colleges. 

Deputy Mayor Shri Tikender Panwar, former Deputy Mayor & Member Executive Council HP University Shri Harish Janartha, Director Higher Education Shri Dinkar Burathoki, Vice-Chairman APMC Shimla & Kinnaur Shri Mahender Stan, Advisor Marketing Board Shri Ajay Shyam, Deputy Commissioner Shri Dinesh Malhotra, SP Shri Abhishek Dular, Chief Engineer PWD Shri D.K. Gupta, Principal Rajiv Gandhi Degree College Dr. Uma Randev, Principal GSSS Lalpani Shri Sanjay Mehta, Principal GSSS Phagli Dr. Veena Sharma, senior officers and prominent persons were present on the occasion.

Governor confers Awards upon 19 teachers on Teacher’s Day

Governor confers Awards upon 19 teachers on Teacher’s Day
( Click to Zoom )

State level Teachers day function was organized at Raj Bhawan today. Smt Urmila Singh, Governor presided over the function. Sh Virbhadra Singh Chief Minister was chief guest on the occasion. Governor presented National Awards comprising of a cash prize of Rs 60,000 along-with a set of books and shawl to three teachers besides State Awards comprising of a cash prize of Rs 40,000, silver medal, cap, shawl, a set of books and certificate to 16 teachers on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, Smt Urmila Singh stressed upon educating the girl child in order to bring about women empowerment in its true sense in the society. She said that women were the pillars of the society and they should be empowered for building a strong nation. She said that students should be sensitized about this since childhood so that they grow up as aware and responsible citizens. 

Smt Urmila Singh said that ideal environment should be created in schools so that every student gets ample opportunity to grow according to his or her interest and ability. Teachers should explore the potential of students and facilitate learning opportunities beyond the classroom for their overall development, she added.

Governor said that teachers were the backbone of the society as they shaped the destiny of pupils and were nation builders in true sense. She said that they influence the minds of students and were looked upon as role models. She said that teachers prepared students for facing the challenges in life and their work was not confined to mere classroom. She said that teachers should inspire students by setting up examples through their good conduct and learning.

She lauded the Guru-Shishya Parampara which uphold the importance of teacher and instilled the values like respect for teacher as well as elders. She said that such rich traditions should be maintained in modern times also.

Governor and Chief Minister paid rich tributes to former President, Philosopher and Educationist Dr S. Radhakrishnan for his valuable contributions towards the cause of education and on whose birth anniversary Teachers Day is celebrated. Governor also released a souvenir on the occasion.

Shri Virbhadra Singh, Chief Minister said on the occasion that the state government had opened Primary schools within a radius of 1.5 or 2 km across the State so that students could get education nearer to their homes. He said that the present government had ordered to reopen all the schools closed by the previous government and added that the objective of state government of achieving the cent percent target of education was not possible unless children get school facility nearer to homes. He said that Himachal Pradesh being a hill state with tough topography and harsh weather conditions especially in winters, it was necessary to provide school facility in every area even if there were less students.

Government to strengthen primary and elementary education: CM

Chief Minister stressed upon strengthening education at primary and elementary levels so that potential of the students could be explored to the maximum at higher education level and their base was strong. He expressed concern over discontinuation of examination system up to Elementary level and added that promoting to next class on the basis of assessment could prove harmful to the students in the long run as it hampered the interest of students in studies. He further said that examinations were essential for evaluating the education standards of students at every level as it was good for both students and teachers.

Shri Virbhadra Singh emphasized the need of instilling moral values besides teaching the importance of patriotism, nationalism, discipline among students so that they grew up as good citizens. He said they should be made aware of our constitution and principles laid in it. He said that during his previous tenure the preamble of Indian constitution was printed and displayed in schools and government offices. He ordered that they should be displayed again in all the educational institutions, libraries and government offices if already not been displayed. The State had achieved cent percent target of enrolment in elementary education and efforts were on to achieve the target of more than 60 percent enrolment in higher education. 

He said that presently more than 15,000 educational institutions were functioning in the State in government sector. The State Government had made a provision of Rs. 3836 crore for education sector for current year which was 18 percent of the total budget. He said that Netbooks would be given free of cost to 5,000 meritorious students of 10th and 12th class this year under Rajiv Gandhi Digital Student Yojna. To encourage meritorious students in the State, the Government had taken decision to give cash incentive of Rs. 75,000 to any student of Himachal Pradesh who got admission in prestigious institutions like IITs, IIMs and AIIMs. 

Shri Virbhadra Singh said that State Government was providing free travelling facility to all government school students in HRTC buses. He said that sincere efforts were being made to improving the quality of education in the State. The Government had taken decision of rationalization to fill the vacant posts of teachers in far-flung and hard areas of the State. He said that emphasis had been given on imparting training to the teachers. He said that efforts were being made to strengthen the basic infrastructure in the schools and making teaching child centric and activity based. 

Sh R.D.Dhiman, Principal Secretary Education welcomed the Governor and Chief Minister and detailed about the activities of the department.

Sh Dinkar Burathoki, Director Higher Education proposed vote of thanks.

A colourful cultural programme was also presented on the occasion.

Forest Minister Sh Thakur Singh Bharmouri, Excise and Taxation Minister Sh Prakash Chaudhry, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Education Sh Neeraj Bharti, Secretary to Governor Smt Anita Tegta, Sh Ashok Sharma Director Elementary Education, Awardee teachers, officers of state government and education department were present among others on the occasion.



List of Awardees :

• Shri Pradeep Singh, Lecturer, Mathematics, GSSS (Boys) Una,
• Shri Nek Ram, Shashtri, GSSS (Girls), Jogindernagar 
• Ms. Devika Rani, CHT GPS, Kinnu, District Una were honoured with National Awards for their outstanding services in the field of education. 

The State level Awards were given to -

• Shri Om Prakash Kaistha, Principal, GSSS, Jaidevi, District Mandi, 
• Shri Suresh Kumar Gautam, Headmaster, GHS, Talyahar, District Mandi, 
• Shri Krishan Chand, Lecturer, GSSS, Galore, District Hamirpur, 
• Shri Raj Kumar Kanwar, DPE, GSSS, Mawa Kaholan, District, Una, 
• Shri Ram Krishan, TGT, GSSS, Karsog, District Mandi, 
• Shri Nand Lal Sharma, TGT, GSSS, Gada Kufri, District Shimla, 
• Dr. Manohar Lal Awasthi, TGT, GHS, Menjha, District Kangra, 
• Shri Mohinder Singh, PET, GSSS, Delgi, District Solan, 
• Shri Mela Ram, PET, GSSS(Boys), Solan, 
• Smt. Neena Thakur Shastri, GMS, Pukhri, District Chamba, 
• Shri Yugal Kishore Gupta, JBT (CHT), GPS, Chhakoh, District Bilaspur, 
• Smt. Krishna Devi, JBT, GPS, Tawan (Balh), District Mandi, 
• Smt. Sita Devi, JBT (CHT), GPS, Takrela, District Bilaspur, 
• Shri Chuni Lal Sharma, JBT (CHT), GPS Rampur Bushar, District Shimla 
• Smt. Chandrawati, JBT (CHT), GPS, New Colony Jail Road, Mandi, District Mandi. 

Today's Screenshot

Cultural programme on the occasion of 150 years celebrations of  Convent of Jesus and Mary at Shimla