In a classroom in Tisa, Chamba district, students did something unusual on Thursday, November 5, 2026 — they asked their Chief Minister what subject he enjoys studying. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu sat with children at PM SHRI Government Model Senior Secondary School, Tisa, fielded questions about his daily routine and personal life, and walked out having announced a ₹3 crore allocation for laboratory infrastructure at the school.

Questions, curiosity, and a Chief Minister on the spot

Sukhu framed the interaction as deliberate policy, not optics. 'The purpose of this dialogue,' he said, 'is to remove hesitation from children's minds and inspire them to ask questions.' His logic was direct: 'बच्चे जितने अधिक सवाल करेंगे, उनकी सोच उतनी ही विकसित होगी' — 'the more questions children ask, the sharper their thinking will become, and their confidence will grow.'

The students obliged. Beyond the personal questions, they raised concrete concerns about school facilities — suggestions the CM said the government would 'consider seriously.' That phrase now has a number attached to it: ₹3 crore for the school's labs, announced on the spot.

What PM SHRI means for a school in Tisa

The school falls under the PM SHRI (PM Schools for Rising India) scheme, a Union government initiative launched in 2022 by the Ministry of Education to develop selected government schools into model institutions — upgraded infrastructure, modern pedagogy, holistic learning. Himachal Pradesh has aligned with the scheme as part of a broader push to close the gap between government and private school quality.

A ₹3 crore lab fund at a single school is a targeted injection. Science labs, computer labs, and vocational facilities have historically been the weakest link in rural government schooling. Getting that equipment to Tisa — a town in the remote upper reaches of Chamba — would directly affect students who have limited access to private alternatives.

The pattern behind the visit

Chief ministers visiting government schools is not new. What is worth watching here is the combination: a public, structured student-to-CM interaction designed to normalise questioning, paired with a specific financial commitment. The student suggestions, now on record, create at least nominal accountability for the follow-through.

Himachal Pradesh's education infrastructure runs heavily on government schools — in hill districts especially, they are often the only option. When the state's top executive shows up, asks to be questioned, and leaves a fund announcement behind, it signals something about where the government's education priorities are being planted. Whether the ₹3 crore reaches the labs — and when — is the number to track next.