JAMMU, Feb 21: Minister for Education Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari today reviewed the functioning and performance of school education department here at a high level meeting with special focus on issues of teachers and implementation of far reaching reforms to improve the quality of education.
The meeting that went on for about two hours discussed in detail the challenges faced by the department and measures and reforms brought in to address these issues.
Secretary School Education, Shaleen Kabra gave a detailed overview of the functioning of the schools at primary, secondary and higher secondary levels and innovative reforms brought in by the government during the past two years to make the system of education more vibrant and proportionate to the present day needs.
The meeting was informed that there are around 24000 schools in Jammu and Kashmir, of which 3300 have been rationalized, having a total enrolment of 16 lakh students.
Minister of state for Education, Culture and Tourism, Priya Sethi was also present in the meeting.
The Minister sought detailed feedback on the functioning of the department, centrally sponsored schemes SSA and RMSA, prescribed strength of teachers in different level of schools, vacancies, recruitment of teachers, including ReTs and their mode of regularization etc.
Discussing the issues of teachers, the Minister stressed on solving sensitive issues of the teaching fraternity, including ReTs, including their salaries, promotions, regularization of services and posts- which the minister termed as most important to uphold the dignity and respect of this noble job. He asked the authorities to prioritize these issues and get these resolved in a time bound manner.
The Minister specially mentioned the issue of hitches in timely release of salaries the teachers coming under the ambit of SSA and RMSA schemes. He asked the department to prepare a report and he will personally approach the Government of India to find a lasting solution of the problem.
“Government wants to ensure that the schools function smoothly and the education of children does not suffer. Undisputedly, when a teacher is not getting salary in time it is difficult for him to concentrate on the students” he asserted.
Meanwhile Mr Bukhari also directed the School education Department to involve the local Legislators in the process of modernization and up-gradation of schools as they being well versed with the local needs can guide the department well about the local challenges.
The Minister of State for Education also called for meeting the aspirations of both the teachers and students to evolve a dependable and progressive education set up in the state. She specially stressed on rationalization of staff and fast tracking the recruitment process to meet the dearth in far flung areas.
Earlier, Secretary Education informed the Ministers about the development of model schools, introduction of e-learning, IT facilities in the schools refresher courses for teachers, Knowledge bank and other mode of teachings introduced by the department. The Minister described all these reforms as very far reaching and highly beneficial for the students. He asked the department to go ahead with same spirit to realize the full objectives.
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