JAMMU: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, today chaired a high-level meeting to review the progress and preparedness for the establishment of Central educational institutions—Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) and Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs)—aimed at ensuring access to quality education for students across various districts of Jammu and Kashmir.
The meeting was attended by the Secretary, School Education Department; Commissioners of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti and Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan; Director School Education, Jammu/Kashmir; Regional Officer, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, Jammu; along with other senior officers of the department.
Deputy Commissioners from all districts participated in the meeting through video conferencing.
During the meeting, the Chief Secretary undertook a comprehensive appraisal of the JNVs and KVs already operational across J&K and those yet to become functional due to infrastructural constraints. He emphasised the pivotal role of the district administrations in facilitating the early establishment of these institutions and directed the Deputy Commissioners to extend full administrative support in their early establishment.
The Chief Secretary specifically instructed the Deputy Commissioners to identify suitable rented accommodations for the temporary functioning of the schools until permanent land is transferred and the requisite infrastructure is developed. He stressed that delays in infrastructure availability should not impede the commencement of academic activities in these premier institutions.
A district-wise review was conducted covering schools that are currently operational, those under various stages of establishment, and newly proposed institutions across the districts of J&K.
On this occasion, Secretary, School Education Department, Ram Niwas Sharma, presented a detailed overview of the status of Central educational institutions in the UT. He provided a location-wise breakdown of JNVs and KVs operating from their own buildings and those functioning from rented premises. He also apprised the meeting of the status of land identification and infrastructure planning for non-functional and proposed institutions.
The Commissioners of JNV and KVS informed the meeting about the land requirements for these institutions, stating that a Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya requires approximately 30 acres of land, while a Kendriya Vidyalaya requires about 2.5 acres in hilly areas and up to 5 acres in plain regions. They further elaborated on the infrastructural components necessary for academic facilities, student hostels, staff residences and extracurricular activities.
Deputy Commissioners shared district-specific updates on the efforts made to accommodate the proposed institutions and assured the Chief Secretary of their full cooperation in expediting land transfer, temporary accommodation and infrastructure development.
The Chief Secretary reiterated the administration’s commitment to strengthening the educational ecosystem by ensuring timely establishment and operationalization of Central schools, particularly in underserved and remote areas.