Shimla, April 9 -- After merging or de-notifying over 1,200 schools and 17 colleges in the past two years, the Himachal Pradesh government is now set to downgrade 83 more schools - including 65 high schools and 18 senior secondary schools - due to low student admissions.

The move comes in response to a sharp and steady decline in student enrolment in government schools. As per official data, the number of students enrolled in primary government schools has dropped by nearly 50% over the past two decades - from 9.71 lakh in 2003-04 to just over 4.29 lakh in 2023-24, even as the number of schools has also been reduced.

Education minister Rohit Thakur said the decision is part of a larger strategy to consolidate resources and improve educa...