JAMMU: Secretary of the School Education Department (SED), Piyush Singla, today conducted a whirlwind tour of various innovation Laboratories in Jammu city besides chairing the concluding session of a workshop organised for the Chief Education Officers of J&K for their orientation regarding ‘Understanding Lifelong Learning for All in Society’ (ULLAS).
The secretary was accompanied by Project Director Samagra Shiksha, Deep Raj, the Director of School Education Jammu, Ashok Sharma besides other senior officers.
During the workshop, Project Director Samagra Shiksha, Deep Raj gave a brief presentation regarding the implementation of the ULLAS scheme and informed that 8 lakh people have been mapped, so far, against the given target of 3 lakh, under Nav Bharat Saksharta Mission.
In his address during the workshop, Piyush Singla said that the broad objectives of ULLAS are to impart not only foundational literacy and numeracy but also cover other components necessary for a citizen of the 21st century such as critical life skills including financial literacy, digital literacy and commercial skills.
He said that he would act as a Volunteer in the Programme and asked the CEOs to request the concerned Deputy Commissioners to own this programme for the betterment of society. He added that the persons who shall take a keen interest in the said programme shall be felicitated at the district and UT levels.
Secretary also took a round of Astro Physics Lab established under Samagra Shiksha in GHS Gandhinagar, Jammu and was informed by the Project Director the Astro Physics labs, aimed at nurturing students’ interest in space-related subjects, are part of an ambitious initiative spanning 188 educational zones in the Union Territory. Besides, 376 labs across the UT have been established and made functional.
During his visit, Singla interacted with the students and teachers of the school and visited the Atal Tinkering lab established in the institute.
Piyush Singla emphasized proper utilization of available resources and asked the head of the institution, to make the school a hub of excellence for other schools of the Zone and let the students expose themselves towards new scientific technologies. “The training sessions are a crucial aspect of initiative and will empower teachers to guide students in exploring astronomy and space-related topics,” he said, adding that these labs are equipped with state-of-the-art instruments, providing hands-on experiences in the fascinating realm of astrophysics.
Later, the Secretary visited the Girls High Secondary School Bakshi Nagar, where a virtual Reality Lab was established under Samagra Shiksha. He took a demonstration of the VR Lab and interacted with the students studying there. He was informed that these Virtual Reality Labs have been established in 10 districts (one Each) of the UT aligning with the NEP 2020.
Piyush Singla convened a review meeting regarding the implementation of Samagra Shiksha and PM SHRI schemes and interacted with the state coordinators at the Directorate of Samagra Shiksha.
The meeting was attended by Project Director Samagra Shiksha, Deep Raj, Special Secretary Anu Behl, Joint Director Plg Parshotam Kumar, DD Planning Bilal Rashid, CAO Abhishek Talwaria, CEO Jammu J.K Padha, besides Coordinators/ASCs.
The Project Director gave a detailed presentation regarding progress achieved in the year 2022-23 besides elaborating a roadmap for the execution of projects for the year 2023-24 as per PAB approvals. He informed that in the year 2022-23, Rs 1377 crore i.e. 75 % of the funds were utilized on the implementation of different interventions of Samagra Shiksha across the UT.
He said that, in the year 2023-24, as per the availability 90% of funds have been utilized. He apprised that Vocational Education has been extended to 514 new schools making a total of 1067 schools imparting this literacy in 14 trades, which shall increase the employability across the UT.
He also informed that under the PM SHRI scheme, 233 schools were approved in the first phase for which various interventions are being implemented and 265 schools have been recommended by the UT of J&K for approval under the 2nd phase.
Secretary, while reviewing the components of Samagra Shiksha, interacted with all Coordinators on various issues including provision of providing quality education to students, further increase in learning outcomes and bridging gender gaps in school education. He stressed for ensuring equity and inclusion at all levels of school education with a focus on Children with Special Needs.
He asked the concerned to formulate a robust plan to provide a conducive atmosphere to CWSNs. “The Children with Special Needs respect, love and enhanced opportunities to grow and prosper rather than mere sympathy,” he maintained.
He asked the Project Director to devise a strategy to take into the loop the NGOs working in the field of inclusive education besides ensuring proper training of the parents and teachers so that every CWSN live a dignified life.
He asked all the concerned officers to strengthen the monitoring mechanism regarding interventions of Samagra Shiksha, so that benefits may be percolated among the students besides ensuring the completion and operationalization of KGBVs and Girls Hostels at the earliest.
