HP government school principal announces free air, rail trips for toppers

Sandeep Sharma, Principal at the Government Senior Secondary School in Balag, will spend from his pocket to fund the trips

The principal of a government school located in a small village in Himachal Pradesh has announced free air, rail and road trips to toppers. The aim behind such freebies is to motivate students to excel in their studies. Sandeep Sharma, Principal at the Government Senior Secondary School in Balag, will spend from his pocket to fund the trips. The quiet village is situated on the Kotkhai-Solan road, some 60 km from Shimla.

Students who will emerge as toppers of Classes 11 and 12 will be treated to air travel to either Chandigarh or Dharamshala. Meanwhile, students who will secure highest marks in Classes 9 and 10 will get to travel to Delhi by Kalka-New Delhi Shatabdi Express. Those topping the exams in Classes 6, 7 and 8 will be taken on a road trip to Chandigarh, Sharma said in his announcement. He said the idea is to create a healthy competition among the students and motivate them to work hard.

"This will not only lift their spirits but also give them exposure as not many of them have visited big cities. The students are already thrilled," he told PTI. Sharma is of the opinion that sponsoring trips is a better idea than giving cash prizes as the students will get to see and learn new things and also feel confident.

He said the initiative has struck a chord with the students and they are spending more time studying. Previously, Sharma had spent INR 10 lakh on renovating the Government Senior Secondary School in Cheog, his alma mater.

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