HP mulls introducing English, Hindi, Maths from Class 1

Himachal Pradesh government is contemplating to introduce English, Hindi and Maths as compulsory subjects in all government schools from Class 1, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh said today.
Addressing a gathering at Paonta Sahib, he said a large number of educational institutions have been opened in the state and now the time had come to strengthen them with basic infrastructural facilities.
There are number of private educational institutions in the state but they lack adequate and qualified teaching staff as compared to government schools, he noted and reiterated government's resolve to make Himachal an educational hub.
Singh said it was a matter of pride that per capita income of the state has crossed Rs 1 lakh and the state was marching ahead on the path of development.

The Chief Minister said though there were many industrial belts in the state, entrepreneurs were employing youth from outside for want of trained manpower.
Taking this into consideration, the state government was planning to open more ITIs and engineering colleges in the state to impart training and to hone the skills of the youth to make them more employable.

Singh announced a college for Aanj-Bhoj in remote Trans-Giri area, declared Holla-Mohalla as District Level Fair and the opening of terminal marketing yard at Paonta.
He also announced renaming of Badripur Chowk as 'Guru Govind Singh Chowk' and to construct pedestrian path along the banks of river Yamuna to be christened as 'Yamuna Path'.

The Chief Minister also announced to start M A classes in English and Commerce in Degree College, Paonta Sahib, from next academic session and Rs 70 lakh for improvement of bus stand at Paonta Sahib.
He also assured construction of bypass to Badripur from ITI and asked the PWD authorities to prepare the estimates in this regard.