Jammu: Education Minister Sakeena Itoo on Thursday informed the Legislative Assembly that nine schools in the Ramgarh constituency have been sanctioned infrastructure works worth Rs 68.34 lakh under Samagra Shiksha.
Replying to a question raised by legislator Balwant Singh Mankotia on behalf of MLA Devinder Manyal regarding schools in border areas, the Minister said the department has taken several measures to ensure 100 per cent enrolment at the primary level.
She said these include enrolment drives by the Directorate of School Education Jammu and Kashmir, door-to-door surveys to identify out-of-school children and their mainstreaming through direct enrolment.
The Minister added that seasonal centres have also been established for children of tribal migratory families to prevent disruption in studies during migration.
She informed the House that free uniforms and textbooks are being provided to nearly eight lakh students, while mid-day meals under PM POSHAN are being served to children from pre-primary to Class 8.
Scholarships are also being provided to girl students under the Beti Anmol Scheme to encourage education at the senior secondary level, she said.
Sakeena Itoo further stated that there is presently no proposal to upgrade schools from primary to middle, middle to high or high to higher secondary level, as the department is presently focusing on strengthening infrastructure and staffing in existing schools, particularly those recently upgraded.
However, she said that whenever such proposals are taken up, schools in border areas would also be considered.
The Minister also informed that nine schools in border villages of Samba district have been proposed for additional infrastructure and facilities under the Vibrant Village Programme Phase-II.
