Minister for Education, Social Welfare, Health and Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo, chaired a significant review meeting at the Civil Secretariat today. The meeting aimed to assess the performance and progress of ongoing projects in the School Education and Higher Education Departments across Jammu and Kashmir.
High-ranking officials, including the Additional Chief Secretary of Higher Education, Shantmanu, and other senior officials, attended the meeting. The delegation included the Secretary for School Education, Ram Niwas Sharma; Director General School Education Kashmir, Dr. G.N. Itoo; and several other key personnel involved in education management.
During this extensive review, Minister Itoo evaluated developmental initiatives, infrastructure projects, and academic reforms that are being implemented to upgrade the education sector in J&K. Her commitment to ensuring timely execution and adherence to quality standards for all education projects and initiatives shone through the discussions.
The assessment focused heavily on prominent programs such as Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA), Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA), and projects under the CAPEX budget. The Minister emphasized the need for efficient infrastructure development, digital learning, and enhanced teacher training.
To facilitate project progress, she instructed executing agencies to ensure completion of all college construction projects within specified timeframes, with strict compliance to quality standards. Itoo also highlighted the necessity for rigorous monitoring and field inspections to successfully address and eliminate obstacles in project implementation.
Addressing the pressing issue of faculty shortages, the Minister called upon the Higher Education Department to evaluate the viability of increasing remuneration for teachers on academic arrangements. This strategy aims to attract qualified educators until permanent vacancies can be filled. Additionally, she urged officials to establish sanctioned posts for new degree colleges to promote effective operations within these institutions.
Focusing on the School Education Department, Minister Itoo reiterated the urgency of digital transformation in classrooms. She directed officials to expedite the installation of smart classrooms, ICT labs, and e-content facilities, specifically targeting rural and remote areas to address educational disparities.
In a practical move, she encouraged Chief Education Officers (CEOs) to effectively utilize Samagra Shiksha funds, while maintaining close collaboration with project-executing bodies for swift completion of essential works.
The Minister also mandated the appointment of a Nodal Officer in each district to liaise with the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) for securing timely clearances. Furthermore, she instructed CEOs to submit monthly progress reports to their respective Heads of Departments to enhance accountability.
In a further push towards efficient operations in education, Itoo directed the prompt finalization of proposals for de-freezing teacher posts, ensuring timely recruitment that strengthens the teaching cadre throughout Jammu and Kashmir.
