Himachal’s Education Revolution: CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s 'Vyavastha Parivartan' Sets National Benchmark
In an era where education reform is often tangled in political tokenism, Himachal Pradesh has quietly but boldly rewritten the script. Under Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s leadership, the hill state has leapfrogged from the 21st rank in the 2021 National Achievement Survey (NAS) to 5th in 2025—thanks to a no-nonsense restructuring drive that prioritizes learning outcomes over populism. The chief minister feels that the state's “Vyavastha Parivartan” model isn’t just a bureaucratic slogan; it’s a data-backed transformation that other states would do well to emulate.
Against this backdrop, Karnataka maintained a steady performance, especially in language and mathematics. Surprisingly, Delhi’s performance showed a mixed trend—while urban schools scored better, disparities remain in government-run schools. Jammu and Kashmir demonstrated moderate gains but still lags in higher-grade competencies due to structural and geographic challenges. Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, two of the most populous states, continued to rank low, with persistent gaps in learning outcomes, especially in rural areas, indicating a serious need for intervention in foundational literacy and numeracy.
Several reasons explain these rankings of various states. Maharashtra and Karnataka have leveraged technology-based learning and decentralised educational planning. On the other hand, states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh suffer from chronic teacher absenteeism, high student-teacher ratios, and poor infrastructure. In Delhi, governance tussles and migration-related over-enrolment in public schools affect consistency. Jammu & Kashmir faces logistical constraints due to weather and security disruptions. Thus, systemic inequities and administrative efficiency play a crucial role in shaping the educational rankings across these states.
From Decline to Dramatic Rise: A Contextual Rebound in Himachal
Himachal’s trajectory in NAS assessments reflects a rollercoaster ride—strong groundwork laid in the early 2000s, stagnation by 2017, and a post-pandemic dip in 2021. Yet, 2025 has emerged as the inflection point, powered by reforms grounded in foundational learning, administrative rationalization, and evidence-based governance. Sukhu’s government has not only reversed the decline but built a robust, replicable model for India’s school education system.
Breaking the Status Quo: Closure of Non-functional Schools
In a move that has shaken the foundations of entrenched political complacency, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu undertook a bold and politically fraught decision: the closure of 1,160 non-functional schools across Himachal Pradesh. These included 911 primary, 220 middle, 14 high, and 15 senior secondary schools—most of which had negligible student strength or were outright violating operational norms.
Unlike his predecessors, who buckled under pressure from MLAs, local interest groups, and vote-bank compulsions, Sukhu charted an unorthodox path. He refused to allow the state’s limited resources to be siphoned off by institutions that existed only on paper or were catering to single-digit enrolments. His administration stood firm, signalling a decisive departure from populist appeasement to performance-based governance.
6 Bold Reforms That Changed the Game;
Himachal’s dramatic climb in NAS rankings is rooted in six key structural reforms:
1st, School Mergers for Efficiency
Over 1,000 low-enrolment schools were merged. This rationalized teacher postings, reduced administrative overhead, and improved classroom viability.
2nd, Unified School Education Directorate. A streamlined command structure now governs education from pre-primary to Class 12, while college education is handled separately. This focused accountability has ended turf wars and enhanced oversight.
3rd, English from Grade 1.Himachal has leapfrogged the national curve by introducing English as a medium of instruction from the very first grade—boosting foundational language learning and employability prospects.
4th, Freedom in Uniforms. A seemingly small but psychologically important move—schools now choose their uniforms, giving students’ greater sense of identity and participation.
5th, Global Exposure for Students and Teachers. Bright students and committed teachers are taken abroad on learning expeditions. This not only motivates but infuses global best practices into the classroom.
6th, Cluster-Based School Management. Schools are now grouped into academic clusters to encourage resource sharing, collaborative learning, and tighter supervision.
Data Speaks: NAS 2025 Validates Sukhu’s Reform Model
The NAS 2025 has validated this transformation through hard data:
Foundational Literacy Gains: Grade 3 students showed strong outcomes under the NIPUN Bharat Mission, indicating early-stage success.
Equity in Education: Government schools outperform private counterparts; rural and girl students scored above national averages—rare in most states.
District Champions: Hamirpur (79%) and Sirmaur (77%) topped Grade 3 performance. Lahaul & Spiti emerged as top scorers in Grades 6 and 9, defying the usual urban-centric trend.
Stark Gaps That Still Need Fixing
Educationists and scholars opine that despite the achievements, some systemic cracks remain visible:
Low Teacher Participation in CPD: Only 26% of teachers attended Continuous Professional Development (CPD) sessions last year—a major concern.
Inclusive Education Infrastructure Lagging: Just 30% of schools are equipped to support Children with Special Needs (CWSN), and only 35% have trained teachers for them.
Bullying and Peer Issues:
Social issues like teasing, exclusion, and bullying are prevalent, demanding stronger mental wellness initiatives.
Low Interest in Skill Courses: Only 41% students opted for vocational subjects despite 45% of schools offering them, indicating a disconnect between industry relevance and classroom perception.
Policy Path Ahead: Hitting NAS 2027 Targets
To break into the NAS top 3 by 2027, the state must recalibrate its strategy around the following recommendations:
1st, Institutionalize Competency-Based Learning
Link NAS data directly with School Improvement Plans (SIPs) and tailor teacher training to address learning gaps.
2nd, Redesign CPD to Be Continuous and Reflective
3rd, Move away from token workshops. Develop ongoing, evidence-based professional development embedded in school routines.
4th, Bridge the Skill-Interest Mismatch;
5th, Engage local industries and Sector Skill Councils (SSCs) to contextualize vocational education and increase relevance.
6th, Safe and Inclusive Campuses
Expand infrastructure for CWSN and integrate the Manodarpan initiative to support students’ mental health and emotional safety.
The NAS Legacy: Himachal’s 25-Year Arc
Since the pilot NAS in 2001, the journey has been long and complex: 2001–2003: Early-stage diagnosis for Grades 3 and 5. 2005–2009: Expansion and integration with Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan. 2012–2014: Equity-focused analysis introduced. 2017: Nationwide district-level assessments begin. 2021: Post-pandemic NAS returns, includes Grade 10, syncs with NEP 2020. 2025: Competency-based, equity-rich, and policy-aligned assessments now define the landscape. In each stage, Himachal has shown increasing responsiveness, and 2025 may be remembered as its defining education moment.
Education Reforms’ Blueprint: A National Template?
Chief Minister Sukhu’s “Vyavastha Parivartan” is no longer just a state initiative—it’s a compelling national case study. With equitable outcomes, improved foundational skills, and clear accountability structures, Himachal Pradesh has demonstrated that political courage and policy clarity can reshape public education. If replicated across other states, this could mark the beginning of an Indian education renaissance.
Conclusion: The Hill State’s Educational Summit
Himachal Pradesh’s leap from mediocrity to excellence in the NAS 2025 is no coincidence—it’s the result of political will, systemic clarity, and bold reforms. As the country prepares for NAS 2027, the hill state stands tall as a beacon of what works in Indian education. Sukhu’s model is proof that meaningful change requires hard decisions, not hollow declarations. The education summit has been scaled—but the climb to the top 3 continues
(Writer is senior political analyst and strategic affairs columnist based in Shimla)
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