Minister for Education, Social Welfare, Health and Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo, convened a high-level review meeting at the Civil Secretariat today to evaluate ongoing projects of the School Education and Higher Education Departments across Jammu and Kashmir. The meeting aimed at assessing the performance, functioning, and progress of various educational initiatives.
Key officials attended the meeting, including Additional Chief Secretary, Higher Education Department, Shantmanu; Secretary School Education, Ram Niwas Sharma; and Director General School Education Kashmir, Dr. G.N. Itoo. Senior officials from different domains, including Project Directors and Chief Engineers, participated to provide comprehensive insights into the current educational landscape.
During the session, the Minister performed a comprehensive evaluation of key developmental initiatives and infrastructural projects in the region. She reviewed ongoing projects under Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA), Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA), and the CAPEX budget to ensure effective implementation.
Emphasizing the importance of timely execution, Itoo focused on critical areas such as infrastructure development, digital learning, teacher training, and curriculum enhancement. She instructed project executing agencies to complete all college construction projects within stipulated timelines and maintain high-quality standards.
To address faculty shortages, the Minister urged the Higher Education Department to explore increasing remuneration for academic arrangement teachers. This approach aims to attract qualified professionals while awaiting the filling of permanent vacancies. Additionally, Itoo stressed the need to create sanctioned posts for all newly established degree colleges to facilitate smooth operations.
In her review of the School Education Department, the Minister highlighted the necessity of digital transformation of classrooms. She directed officials to accelerate the installation of smart classrooms, ICT labs, and e-content facilities, particularly in rural and remote areas, to mitigate the learning gap.
She urged Chief Education Officers (CEOs) to effectively utilize Samagra Shiksha funds in close coordination with project-executing bodies for the prompt completion of work. Recognizing potential inefficiencies, Itoo called for effective monitoring and regular field inspections to overcome implementation bottlenecks.
To ensure robust oversight, the Minister proposed appointing a Nodal Officer in each district responsible for liaising with the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to facilitate timely vigilance clearances. CEOs must also submit monthly progress reports to their respective Heads of Departments to keep track of ongoing initiatives.
Itoo additionally emphasized the early finalization of proposals for de-freezing teacher posts across the region. This initiative aims to expedite recruitment processes and strengthen the teaching cadre in Jammu and Kashmir, directly impacting educational quality.
