Jammu and Kashmir’s Minister for Education Sakeena Itoo chaired a high-level review meeting on education sector projects, calling for prompt completion and quality monitoring on April 11, 2023, at the Civil Secretariat. Attended by senior officials from various educational departments, the meeting assessed the progress of ongoing initiatives within the School Education and Higher Education Departments.
The meeting featured prominent attendees, including Shantmanu, Additional Chief Secretary of the Higher Education Department; Ram Niwas Sharma, Secretary for School Education; and Dr. G.N. Itoo, Director General of School Education Kashmir. The congregation included other senior officials such as project directors, chief engineers, and district education officers.
During the extensive evaluation, Minister Itoo emphasized the importance of a comprehensive review of key developmental initiatives, particularly focusing on infrastructure projects and academic reforms across Jammu and Kashmir. She insisted on adhering to timetables for projects under programs like the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) and Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA).
The minister urged the completion of all college construction projects within set timelines, stressing the need for strict quality standards. Underlining the critical nature of infrastructure development, digital learning enhancement, and teacher training, Itoo underscored the significance of these components for the future of education.
In light of ongoing faculty shortages, she directed the Higher Education Department to weigh the possibility of increasing remuneration for academic arrangement teachers. This strategy aims to attract qualified professionals while permanent postings await filling. Furthermore, the minister ordered the creation of sanctioned posts for newly established degree colleges to ensure smooth operations.
Addressing matters in the School Education Department, Minister Itoo advocated for a digital transformation of classrooms. She called for speeding up the installation of smart classrooms, ICT labs, and e-content facilities, particularly in rural and remote areas, to effectively bridge the education gap.
To optimize the use of Samagra Shiksha funds, the minister instructed Chief Education Officers (CEOs) to maintain robust coordination with project-executing agencies, paving the way for quicker project completions.
In addition, Itoo proposed appointing a Nodal Officer in each district to liaise with the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) for timely vigilance clearances. She mandated that CEOs submit monthly progress reports to their respective Heads of Departments for accountability.
Lastly, Minister Itoo urged for the early finalization of proposals aimed at de-freezing teacher posts. This move is critical to ensuring timely recruitment and strengthening the teaching cadre throughout Jammu and Kashmir, addressing persistent concerns in the education system.
