Leh: The Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta, inaugurated the newly upgraded Ladakh Model School, earlier a Primary Model School and now functioning as a Middle School under the Samagra Shiksha programme, marking a decisive advancement in the region’s education sector.
Addressing a packed audience comprising parents, students and teachers, the Lt Governor remarked that the upgradation of the school represents a crucial, long-term investment in the dreams, aspirations, and growth of Ladakh’s children. Emphasising that education is the fundamental pillar of a progressive society, he stressed the UT Administration is committed to providing every child with equal access to quality learning in a safe environment.
Highlighting Samagra Shiksha’s role to foster holistic development beyond traditional textbook learning, Kavinder Gupta mentioned that with this upgrade, children in Ibex Colony can now attend uninterrupted schooling up to Class 8 locally, reducing travel burdens, enhancing safety, lowering dropout rates, and improving engagement, especially among girls.
Highlighting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s emphasis on education, the Lt Governor noted reforms like the National Education Policy (NEP 2020) and Samagra Shiksha are making quality education accessible and inclusive even in regions with geographic challenges such as Ladakh, stating, “Education is not just a system, it is a nation’s most powerful tool for transformation.”
Kavinder emphasised that the UT Administration is firmly committed to ensuring that harsh weather, long distances, or resource constraints do not hinder any child’s educational journey. Consequently, efforts continue to strengthen school infrastructure, including buildings, classrooms, clean drinking water, sanitation facilities, libraries, sports amenities, and digital learning tools. “Every child in Ladakh must have the opportunity to learn, to grow and to dream big,” he said.
The Lt Governor highlighted the need to extend education beyond academics, emphasising that sports, culture, arts, values, and life skills must also be included. He stressed that Ladakh’s rich heritage, discipline, and spirit of adventure bestow a unique identity on its children. “The Administration aims to blend modern education with local cultural values, cultivating confident, ethical, and responsible citizens.”
The Lt Governor acknowledged the pivotal role of teachers, encouraging them to educate with dedication, compassion, innovation, and an emphasis on nurturing curiosity. He also called on parents to actively participate in their children’s education by ensuring regular attendance, attention to studies, and involvement in school activities, recognising that holistic development requires collaboration between schools and families.
In his concluding remarks, the Lt Governor expressed heartfelt gratitude to officials, teachers, and local community members for their collective dedication in realising this milestone. He expressed hope that the Ladakh Model School would emerge as a centre of excellence and opportunity, inspiring the youth of Ladakh toward brighter futures. He urged all stakeholders to collaborate in building a Ladakh “where every classroom inspires, every child progresses, and education serves as the strongest pillar of society.”
The Lt Governor also visited the newly constructed classrooms and Bal Vatikas at the school.
In her address, Administrative Secretary, School Education Department, Bhanu Prabha, provided key insights into the department’s ongoing and future initiatives to enhance government school standards across Ladakh, including plans to adopt 50 more government schools across the region for upgradation to model schools with advanced teaching facilities, including digital classrooms and innovative teaching methods, aimed at providing quality education in government institutions.
Parents who attended the event shared positive feedback, with some noting that they had shifted their children from private schools to Ladakh Model School in the hope of providing the best quality education for their wards.
Director, School Education Department, Tashi Dolma, delivered the vote of thanks.
ADDC Leh, Sonam Nurboo; Director LEDeG Eshey Tondup; Headmaster, Ladakh Model School, Sonam Gyaltsan; Nambardar, Ibex Colony, Sonam Rigzin; members of Village Education Committee (VEC) Ibex Colony; officials from School Education Department, teaching faculty, students, parents and other district officials were present during the event.
