Himachal Bans Mobile Phones in Schools from Pre-Nursery to Class XII

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced a complete ban on students carrying mobile phones in school premises from pre-nursery to Class XII, effective from the upcoming academic session. Teachers, however, will be allowed to keep mobile phones in staff rooms or within their bags. The announcement was made during the inauguration of state-of-the-art facilities at the Directorate of Samagra Shiksha, which include the Vidya Samiksha Kendra (VSK), Education Gallery, Programme Management Studio Conference Area, New Conference Hall, and a modern central heating system. These facilities are expected to enhance administrative efficiency and mark a significant step toward digital education governance in Himachal Pradesh.

Advancing Digital Education Governance with Vidya Samiksha Kendra

The CM highlighted that these modern facilities will help improve academic efficiency and strengthen governance in the education sector. “This initiative reflects the visionary approach of the state government and places education at the core of overall development,” he said. Himachal Pradesh has recorded substantial progress over the past three years, moving from the 21st to the 5th position nationally in education quality assessment. The Vidya Samiksha Kendra is an important milestone in this journey, offering an integrated digital platform for real-time data on teaching, learning outcomes, student assessment, attendance, resource management, and school administration.

Innovative Initiatives for Improved Learning Outcomes

The state government has also launched several innovative programs to ensure scientific analysis of student learning levels, including:

• Abhyas Himachal: Focused learning initiatives across schools
• Geo-spatial technology-based smart attendance systems: Accurate and automated attendance tracking
• Nipun Pragati: Monitoring learning outcomes and academic progress

These initiatives aim to provide a comprehensive view of students’ learning and school performance, supporting teachers, administrators, and policymakers in decision-making. The CM emphasized that these measures demonstrate the government’s continued commitment to the education sector, which has been given top priority during the last three years. The adoption of a digital, data-driven approach is expected to make Himachal Pradesh a leader in educational innovation and governance.