Centre and J&K join hands to strengthen school infrastructure and future-ready learning ecosystem

• Minister calls for Samagra Shiksha reforms and subject-specific teachers to transform the education sector

SRINAGAR, SEPTEMBER 29: Union Secretary Department of School Education & Literacy (DoSEL), Sanjay Kumar, today called on  Minister for Education, Social, Health and Medical Sakeena Itoo, and briefed the Minister about his extensive field visit and assessment of various schools in Budgam and Srinagar districts.

Additional Chief Secretary, Higher Education, Shantmanu; Secretary, School Education, Ram Niwas Sharma and other senior officers of the education department were also present on the occasion.

During the deliberations, the Union Secretary assured the Minister of full support from the Centre for infrastructure development and modernization of schools to ensure universal access to quality education for all children in Jammu and Kashmir.

At the outset, the Minister stressed the need for reforms in the Samagra Shiksha scheme to make it more student-centric and outcome-oriented.

The Minister also asked the Secretary to establish more ICT labs in schools, particularly in rural and far-flung areas. She also called the Secretary to make the provision for subject specific teachers under Samagra Shiksha or any other scheme.

 “Our focus is on expanding vocational and skill-based education, ensuring that our students are future-ready. For this, support from the Central Government is crucial to upgrade infrastructure and take the education sector of J&K to new heights”, the Minister said.

She further said that the government is working to expedite the recruitment of teachers to increase the pupil-teacher ratio and strengthen the teaching-learning process.

Union Secretary appreciated the progress made by the J&K Government and said that the Centre is committed to extend all possible assistance to J&K in developing robust school infrastructure, digital learning platforms, and capacity building for teachers.