NERWA: The newly upgraded CBSE Government Senior Secondary School at Nerwa turned into a lively public classroom on Wednesday where students candidly grilled Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and Education Secretary Rakesh Kanwar over a long list of problems plaguing the fast-growing institution.
While the Chief Minister announced construction of a new school building worth ₹5 crore and promised to complete it within two years, students seized the rare opportunity to highlight the harsh realities behind the “CBSE upgrade” success story — inadequate infrastructure, dirty toilets, shortage of teachers, traffic chaos in Nerwa town, lack of school buses, poor hospital connectivity and the demand to extend the Mid-Day Meal scheme to senior classes.
The interaction at Government Senior Secondary School Nerwa saw schoolchildren speaking openly about the “problem galore” confronting students despite a massive jump in enrolment after the school was brought under the CBSE curriculum.8
The Chief Minister admitted that enrolment had surged sharply after the CBSE affiliation. The school, which had 959 students last year, now has nearly 1,300 students after an increase of 341 admissions in the current academic session. Due to overcrowding, the government has already allowed the school to function in two shifts.
Students, however, pointed out that the infrastructure had failed to keep pace with the rising numbers.
Several students complained about unhygienic washrooms and toilets, insufficient teachers and congestion inside classrooms. Others flagged the lack of transport facilities for students coming from remote villages and difficulties in accessing hospital services due to poor connectivity.
Class XI student Vaibhav Chauhan raised the issue of growing traffic jams in Nerwa town, saying students routinely face delays and safety concerns due to congestion. Responding to the concern, Sukhu assured that a bypass road would be constructed to ease traffic pressure.
Another student sought extension of the Mid-Day Meal scheme to higher classes, arguing that many senior students travel long distances and spend the entire day at school.
The interaction also witnessed lighter moments. When Sara Negi asked why people call him a “warrior”, Sukhu replied that he too came from an ordinary family and had struggled throughout life. “Failures are part of life, but those who keep fighting despite setbacks emerge victorious,” he told students.
Class X student Viheen Chauhan asked why there is no examination for becoming an MLA. Drawing laughter and applause, the Chief Minister remarked that MLAs too face an “exam” every five years when people decide their fate through voting. “If citizens vote wisely, the right leadership emerges,” he said.
Student Jessica asked about his biggest goal for Himachal Pradesh. Sukhu replied that making the state self-reliant remained his top priority and said rural children must receive education at par with cities through CBSE institutions.
Student Anushka requested on-job training opportunities for IT students, while Aditi Sood suggested foreign language education in schools to improve employment prospects abroad. The Chief Minister said the government was exploring such possibilities.
The Chief Minister also asked students whether anyone brought mobile phones to school. When all students replied in the negative, laughter spread across the gathering.
Later, Sukhu inspected the school campus and shared lunch with the students.
Congress leaders Rajneesh Kimta and Vinod Zinta, HPMC Vice Chairman Surender Sharma, State Food Commission Chairman S P Katyal and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.
