Overview

Himachal Pradesh was under the Direct control of British administration in the mid of 19th century. The state was the summer capital of India during British period. This became one of the specific reasons behind penetration of good education in the state. There are many institutions of higher education in Himachal Pradesh. The Himachal Pradesh University in Shimla and the National Institute of Technology in Hamirpur are renowned for their academic excellence.

Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry has gained exceptional characteristic not only in the nation but also in whole of Asia for conducting teaching, research and extension education in horticulture, forestry and allied disciplines.

The University Grants Commission of India has granted Rs. 4.5 crore to the state under 10th five-year plan. The government is striving continuously to bring out different plans so as to strengthen the education system in Himachal Pradesh.

The Himachal Pradesh has one of the highest literacy rates in India. The district Hamirpur is amongst the top in the country for literacy. Female literacy rate is good and encouraging in the state. There are five universities, two medical colleges, four dental colleges and two engineering colleges in the state. There are more than 10,000 primary schools, 1,000 secondary schools and more than 1,300 high schools in the state. In order to make constitutional promises a reality ‘to make primary education compulsory,’ Himachal has now become the first state in India to make elementary education easy to get to every child in the state.

The Department of Education Himachal Pradesh Government is the administering authority for education in the state at all level. The department has made huge progress in the field of education. Primary education has been made compulsory in the state. Education of girls is an integral part of social and national development. To promote the education of girl, it is being provided free of cost at all levels. The department also organizes different training programs for the training of teachers so as to make them aware with latest educational know how.

IT Education is holding the key for future development. To encourage IT education in the state the Information Technology (IT) education as a subject is induced totally on self-finance basis. The students from 9th to 12th Classes in Govt. Sr. Sec. School can opt for the IT-Education voluntarily. In the academic year 2001 – 02 IT education has been started in 236 Govt. Sr. Sec. Schools by signing an agreement with two companies namely M/s Electronics Corporation of India Ltd. (ECIL), Hydrabad (219 Schools) and M/s Maharashtra Institute of Advanced Electronics and Computer Technology ( MIAECT) Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai (15 Schools.) During academic session 2002-03 an agreement has been signed with M/s RCC, now merged in DOEACC Society, New Delhi for starting IT-Education and this company is imparting the IT-Education in 261 Govt. Sr. Sec. Schools. At present these companies are providing IT education in 495 Govt. Sr. Sec. Schools.