Having already achieved a 73 per cent literacy rate, Himachal Pradesh is now trying to improve this by ensuring that many of those educated finish at least graduation. In the works is a plan to establish linkages between the state’s network of senior secondary schools and the degree colleges in their area.

Himachal has currently 66 degree colleges — including many in remote areas — and 40 other private colleges, while it has a good network of schools in districts. “Every senior secondary school will be linked to a college and the principals of these colleges will be given the responsibility of visiting the schools to motivate students to take admissions in their courses,” Himachal Education Minister Ishwar Dass Dhiman told The Indian Express.

The moves comes in the wake of reports showing many students in rural areas dropping out at the school level, and that the strength in colleges is gradually falling, despite several of them having reasonably good infrastructure.

Himachal is also planning to open four few degree colleges in the state’s backward districts. At least two proposals to open colleges in Chamba and Sirmaur districts are up for clearance.