RAJOURI: Secretary of the Tribal Affairs Department(TAD) and CEO of Mission Youth, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary inaugurated the academic block at Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS) Rajouri and visited EMRS Kandi to inspect the ongoing works and interact with students. EMRS Rajouri and Kandi are among 6 such residential schools operationalised by LG Manoj Sinha-led administration in the last two years.
Deputy Commissioner, Vikas Kundal, Director, Tribal Affairs, Mushir Ahmed Mirza, Director TRI, Mukhtar Ahmed, Jt Director Planning, Shama un Ahmed, Dy Director Dr Abdul Khabir, CEO Sultana Kouser, Principal EMRS Wakeel Ahmed Bhat and other officers accompanied.
The Secretary held detailed interactions with students at both the model residential schools for tribal students made functional since 2022 with an enrolment of 240 students. He briefed the students about the facilities being offered by the department for opportunities in education, career options and Skilling.
A detailed question and answer session was also organised during the visit. He complimented the proactive role played by DC Rajouri Vikas Kundal and his team for the effective management of EMRSs.
Dr Shahid inaugurated the academic building at EMRS Rajouri which includes classrooms, offices and separate hostels for girls and boys. He also distributed tracksuits, sports materials and other utility items provided by the department for student welfare.
Interaction with teachers was also held for a firsthand assessment of the facilities and planning further facilities for the students. He also announced Rs 80 Lakh for new sports facilities and Bharat darshan for students as well as starting Skilling and counselling services for students.
DC Vikas Kundal addressed the students about academic aspirations and career opportunities. He briefed about the thorough professional selection process of students and arranged the academic team through a competitive process. He also impressed upon the executing agencies of both the EMRS for expeditious completion of the building and the start of work on the main complex of EMRS Kandi.
It is also pertinent to mention here that as a part of an initiative for the modernisation of 300 schools in tribal areas, the government has developed more than 50 smart schools in tribal villages of the Rajouri district to provide the best facilities and amenities to the tribal students. Rs 4.15 Cr scholarship was also provided to the students in the district during the current financial year.
It was also discussed to develop one smart classroom in each of the 85 villages of the district selected under the model village scheme to prioritise educational facilities under the scheme. The education department has been asked for convergent planning at the village level for effective outcomes. CEO Rajouri briefed about the deputation of staff to various model residential schools and hostels for tribal students in the district.
Director TAD, Mushir Ahmed Mirza and Jt Director Planning Shama un Ahmed inspected hostels at Kalakote, Rajouri Boys and Rajouri Girls to see the amenities and include the demands of students and management for improvement in facilities. Progress on new hostels being constructed at Budhal, Nowshera, Sunderbani and Khwas was also reviewed besides the abandoned Koteranka hostel re-allotted to PWD. Land for a new school in the Thanamandi area has also been sought by the department.
