Shimla, July 30 -- The education department in Himachal Pradesh has shut down 100 government schools, including 72 primary and 28 middle, owing to low enrolment. In addition, 120 primary schools with five or fewer students have been merged with nearby schools. The orders were issued by education secretary Rakesh Kanwar. "The government's aim behind this is to ensure better utilisation of the department's resources and to provide students with quality education. This will improve efficiency," said education minister Rohit Thakur while speaking to HT. This is not for the first time Himachal government has taken such step. In past two and a half years, the government has either shut down or merged around 1,150 schools across the state, owing to decline in enrolment. The last decade has seen a significant shift in the education landscape of Himachal Pradesh. Parents are increasingly preferring private and convent schools over government schools. As a result, student numbers in government institutions have dropped sharply. To promote and preserve linguistic diversity and local heritage, the education department has issued directions to implement "local dialect interaction" sessions on the last Saturday of every month. Under this initiative, teachers will hold a special interaction in local dialects with students for half an hour. "This is to encourage cultural integration, enhance communication between teachers and students. It is a positive step toward preserving Himachal's rich linguistic heritage," said education minister....