<div align="justify">A back-of-the-beyond government school in Himachal Pradesh presents a picture in contrast to the rot that exists in school education in the state and neighbouring Punjab. The Himachal Pradesh government spends close to Rs 13.50 lakh annually on five staff, including three teachers, to educate the lone student at the Kardang High School in snow-clad Lahaul and Spiti. <br /><br />The Lahaul and Spiti district is the largest in geographical area, but is sparsely populated. In fact, this place has the lowest population in the hill state. The lone student in the school, Sonam Angmo, was recently promoted to the next class. The school is the only hope for students in the snow-clad region. Even if it is a single student during the entire academic session, the government will not shut the school despite the heavy costs involved. The annual salary of the three teachers adds up to about Rs 13 lakh. The school had two students in the last academic session. The education department hopes that more will turn up this year. <br /><br />Similar situation <br />The situation is the same in another school in the hill state. The Yurnath Government Middle School has just six students who are looked after by seven staffers, including five teachers. In neighbouring Punjab, there are as many as 1,170 primary schools functioning with a single teacher in each school. This, despite several students enrolling as day-scholars. Further, the strength of students in classes I to VII in the government and aided schools in Punjab has declined by almost 60% over the past six years.</div>
<div align="justify">A back-of-the-beyond government school in Himachal Pradesh presents a picture in contrast to the rot that exists in school education in the state and neighbouring Punjab. The Himachal Pradesh government spends close to Rs 13.50 lakh annually on five staff, including three teachers, to educate the lone student at the Kardang High School in snow-clad Lahaul and Spiti. <br /><br />The Lahaul and Spiti district is the largest in geographical area, but is sparsely populated. In fact, this place has the lowest population in the hill state. The lone student in the school, Sonam Angmo, was recently promoted to the next class. The school is the only hope for students in the snow-clad region. Even if it is a single student during the entire academic session, the government will not shut the school despite the heavy costs involved. The annual salary of the three teachers adds up to about Rs 13 lakh. The school had two students in the last academic session. The education department hopes that more will turn up this year. <br /><br />Similar situation <br />The situation is the same in another school in the hill state. The Yurnath Government Middle School has just six students who are looked after by seven staffers, including five teachers. In neighbouring Punjab, there are as many as 1,170 primary schools functioning with a single teacher in each school. This, despite several students enrolling as day-scholars. Further, the strength of students in classes I to VII in the government and aided schools in Punjab has declined by almost 60% over the past six years.</div>
