Archive · 5 Sep 2026
177 Himachal Schools Lack Buildings; Construction Underway for 28
Himachal Pradesh has 177 government schools that do not have their own buildings.
Their students are studying in places such as other schools, rest houses and community halls.
Twelve schools became unsafe after natural disasters.
New buildings are being built for 28 of these schools.
Money has already been released for 14 other buildings.
Some construction cannot begin because suitable land is unavailable or has not been acquired.
The state also closed 1,526 schools during the past three years.
Many buildings from closed schools are now being used for government and community activities.
Himachal Pradesh has 177 government schools without their own buildings, Education Minister Rohit Thakur told the assembly.
Classes at the affected schools are being held in government buildings, private premises, rest houses, community centres and other facilities.
Construction is underway for 28 school buildings, while funds have been released for 14 more.
The remaining projects are stalled because of land shortages or pending land acquisition.
The state has closed 1,526 schools over three years, with 577 former school buildings handed to other departments or groups.
- Who
- Himachal Pradesh Education Minister Rohit Thakur provided the figures while responding to BJP MLA Inder Dutt Lakhanpal.
- What
- The assembly was told that 177 government schools lack buildings and that 1,526 schools have closed over three years.
- When
- The information was given on Thursday, the concluding day of the monsoon session.
- Where
- Himachal Pradesh, including a school in Kunra in Chamba district that is operating from a Public Works Department rest house.
- Why
- Some buildings were declared unsafe after disasters, while other construction projects face land availability or land acquisition problems.
Government explanation
BJP MLA’s inquiry
Schools operating without buildings
Government explanation
The government said affected schools are using alternate premises, including other government schools, private buildings, rest houses, community centres, women’s group halls and Panchayat buildings.
BJP MLA’s inquiry
BJP MLA Inder Dutt Lakhanpal sought information in the assembly about schools without buildings and school closures, bringing the issue before lawmakers.
Progress and delays in construction
Government explanation
The government reported that construction is underway for 28 buildings and funds have been released for 14 more; remaining work is affected by land availability or acquisition issues.
BJP MLA’s inquiry
The figures show that many schools still lack dedicated buildings, while projects for the remaining schools have not progressed because of unresolved land issues.
Use of closed-school buildings
Government explanation
The Education Department said 577 buildings from closed schools were handed to departments and community organisations for activities such as health services, childcare and local programmes.
BJP MLA’s inquiry
The closure figures raised questions about the status and use of school facilities, although the minister said 53 closed schools had operated in private or rented premises and therefore had no government buildings to transfer.
- Schools without buildings
- 177 government schools
- Buildings under construction
- 28
- Buildings with funds released
- 14
- Schools closed in three years
- 1,526
- Closed-school buildings handed to other departments
- 577
- Unsafe schools
- 12 were declared unsafe in recent years due to natural disasters
- Kunra school enrollment
- 99 students using four rooms in a Public Works Department rest house