Himachal Pradesh School Headmistress Receives State Excellence Award for Sustainability

Recognition for Environmental Leadership

Munish Sood
Mandi

Smt. Suman Kashyap, the Headmistress of Government High School Kathlag in Mandi district, Himachal Pradesh, has been awarded the State Excellence Award 2026 in the Best Green & Sustainable School category. This accolade recognizes her remarkable leadership in transforming a modest rural school into a model of environmental sustainability, community involvement, and comprehensive education.

The award was conferred by the Education Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Rohit Thakur, during a state-level ceremony held at Hotel Holiday Home in Shimla on Thursday. This honor highlights the significant contributions made by schools and educators in fostering innovation, environmental responsibility, and high-quality education throughout the state.

Under Suman Kashyap’s guidance, Government High School Kathlag, which serves just 35 students, has set a standard for sustainable educational practices despite its limited resources. The institution has garnered acclaim for its innovative green initiatives, academic advancements, student welfare programs, and robust community engagement.

One of the school's most significant initiatives is the Anti-Chitta Awareness Campaign, which united students, parents, and local residents through awareness rallies and outreach programs aimed at educating the community about the risks of drug abuse. The school reports that these ongoing awareness efforts have led to no incidents of Chitta abuse within the immediate community.

Additionally, the school has actively engaged in the national ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ plantation campaign and has submitted a proposal under the School Nursery Yojana from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to enhance environmental education and conserve indigenous plant species.

Regular cleanliness drives, waste management practices, and water conservation efforts, along with celebrations of World Environment Day, Earth Day, and other significant observances, have contributed to creating a clean, green, and plastic-free campus. Health camps, digital learning initiatives, KYAN smart classes, remedial teaching, and special enrollment drives have further enriched the academic environment.

Students are encouraged to excel beyond academics by participating in sports, debates, quizzes, cultural events, and environmental campaigns. Notably, one girl from the school has qualified for the district-level badminton tournament.

After receiving the award, Suman Kashyap expressed her gratitude, dedicating the honor to her students, teachers, parents, the School Management Committee, and the local community. She emphasized that this recognition reflects their shared commitment to quality education, environmental conservation, and sustainable development.

Education officials have praised Government High School Kathlag as an inspiring example of how visionary leadership, innovation, and community involvement can elevate even a small rural school into a center of excellence. This recognition is anticipated to inspire other government schools across Himachal Pradesh to implement similar environmentally sustainable and community-focused initiatives.