Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday launched several key initiatives in the education sector of the Union Territory.
The LG inaugurated 119 civil projects, including 84 school buildings, laid foundation stones for sports infrastructure in 100 schools as well as two residential schools for tribal students in Rajouri and Shopian and also rolled out NIELIT courses for classes 6 to 12 class at a function at SKICC here, an official spokesperson said.
Sinha launched mentorship programme and TALAASH App for mainstreaming of 93,508 identified out-of-school children, besides laying the foundation stones for 500 Atal Tinkering Labs (250 each in Jammu and Kashmir regions) and 188 model kindergartens and 1,935 pre-primary sections.
A memorandum of understanding was signed between Samagra Shiksha J&K and HCL for the TECHBEE programme for students of class 12, the official said.
Sinha said the infrastructure projects, initiatives and schemes dedicated to the future generation of Jammu and Kashmir would instill in them free thought, scientific temper and consciousness along with playfulness to produce future ready, global citizens of the 21st century.
“This new beginning will redefine the teaching-learning process and bring qualitative changes in the overall functioning of schools,” he added.
Stressing on ensuring quality and outcome-oriented education for all, Sinha said the initiatives taken focus on knowledge and values, and development of emotional and intelligence quotients to help the child develop a well-balanced personality.
“Our effort is to ensure that all schools are maintaining academic standards, empowering young students to develop experimental skills, and exposing them to exciting innovations,” he added.
“We have overcome several old constraints and carried out more than 20 surveys to identify and mainstream out-of-school children. The School Education Department has shown major gains in enrolment and retention and bridging the gender gaps,” he added.
The LG noted that the National Education Policy (NEP) has laid the foundations for developing the capabilities of a child to optimum potential.
He said NEP-2020 takes special care of providing students an opportunity to study the subjects according to their own choice and ability, so that their talent is developed and nurtured without any pressure.
Terming the teacher’s role as vital in the holistic development of students, the LG said that the Mentorship Programme: Student Teacher Engagement for Educational Reinforcement (STEER) will revolutionise the school education system by identifying learning gaps and understanding the constraints of the children, their capabilities, besides providing the teachers an opportunity to bring changes their teaching methods.
Under this mentorship program, more than 21,000 schools have been covered and five lakh students mapped. Moreover, 40,000 teachers have been trained to mentor the students in 1:10 ratio, it was informed.
The LG termed schools as a perfect medium to ignite the engine of J&K’s overall development and economic growth. “Our effort is to ensure all the schools are maintaining academic standards, empowering young students to develop experimental skills, exposing them to exciting innovations,” he added.
Sinha appreciated the efforts of the School Education Department for successfully bringing a large number of out-of-school students, students from underprivileged sections to schools through initiatives like ‘Aao School Chalen’, ‘Dastak’ and ‘Talaash’. He also expressed pleasure for J&K’s better performance and ranking in the NISHTHA program than many states in the country.
The LG further asked the School Education Department, teachers and student community to actively participate in the “Har Ghar Tiranga campaign’. He also asked the department to give dedicated focus to redress the issues like rationalization of teachers.
The LG also felicitated the 10th class toppers for their remarkable performance in the examination. He also inspected the innovative models and projects put up for display by various school students.
Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Advisor to LG, congratulated the School Education Department and the student community for the “new future-oriented initiatives” aimed at transforming the education system in the UT.
BK Singh, Secretary, School Education, in his welcome address briefed about the efforts being made by the department to implement NEP in J&K and ensure quality education to all. He also informed in detail about the new initiatives launched on the occasion.
Deep Raj Kanethia, Project Director Samagra Shiksha, J&K presented the Vote of Thanks.
Pandurang K. Pole, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir; Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Secretary to the Government, Tribal Affairs Department; besides HoDs, senior officials, principals of various schools, teachers and students in large numbers were present on the occasion.
