Centre committed to reform JK’s education sector: Pokhriyal

Srinagar: Union Minister for Human Resources Development, Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishankh today said the central government will bring about major reforms to revamp the education sector of Jammu and Kashmir.
He also termed J&K as the ‘Crown of India’ in terms of the potential and talent pool.
The Union Minister made these remarks while inaugurating National Initiative for School Heads & Teachers’ Holistic Advancement ‘NISHTHA’, besides e-inauguration of 45 projected under education sector at a cost of Rupees 180 crore here today.
The projects include Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Srinagar, 25 Smart Model Schools, and Sheikh-ul-Alam Chair at Center for Sheikh-ul-Alam Studies (Markaz-i Noor) and Laboratory Block (PEB) at University of Kashmir, besides Government College of Engineering Safapora and Government Degree College Zakura.
The Smart Model Schools project is aimed at transforming government schools on modern lines. The initiative has been envisaged by Divisional and District Administration Srinagar.
The Union Minister e-inaugurated Indian Institute of Management Srinagar off-campus which will offer programmes like Management Development, Leadership Development, Faculty Development, Online Executive Development, Entrepreneurship Development, and Certificate programmes.
He also inaugurated two blocks of NIT Srinagar hostel named after Mansar and Mansabal–two famous lakes of Jammu and Kashmir.
Pokhriyal inaugurated 16 projects under School Education Department at a cost of Rupess 2468.06 Lakh including Laboratory Block at Boys Higher Secondary School Anantnag, Double Storey Building at HSS Nanil, Additional Accommodation for BHSS Zadibal, KGBV at Bela Boniyar Baramulla, Girls Hostel at Mehind Nowshere, Doubel Story Building at GHSS Anantnag, KVGB at Chankhan Sopore, Girls Hostel BHSS Budgam, Girls Hostel GHS Keeri Baramulla, Girls Hostel GHSS Baramulla and KGBV Rakshalina at B.K Pora Budgam.
Under Higher Education Department, the Union Minister inaugurated Government Degree College for Women Zakura, Srinagar established at a cost of Rupees 1148 lakh and Government College of Engineering and Technology, Safapora at a cost of Rs 2600 lakh.
The Union Minister also inaugurated Center for Interdisciplinary Research & Advanced Instrumentation established University of Kashmir at a cost of Rupees 9.19 crore and Sheikh-ul-Alam Chair at Center for Sheikh-ul-Alam Studies (Markaz-i Noor) University of Kashmir.
Speaking on the occasion regarding NISHTHA, the Union Minister said the government is keen to develop the education sector and the objective of NISHANK’ is to be to train 672 Key Resource Persons (KRPs) and State Resources Persons, besides training 86769 Teachers and Head Teachers at elementary level.
He said reforms have been brought about in recruitment procedures by ending Rehbar-e-Taleem (ReT) scheme with the creation of 28363 supernumerary posts against which ReT teachers were absorbed in school education department.
The Union Minister said 36 Kendriya Vidyalayas have been sanctioned in UT of Jammu & Kashmir and five new KVs are coming up soon at Akhnoor, Udhampur, Anantnag, Jourian and Baramulla, where land has been identified while in 21 JNVs have also been sanctioned.
He said that to facilitate availability of teachers in close proximity to school in remote areas 280 units of Teachers Hostels will be set up.
On the occasion, the Union Minister released Urdu version of NISHTHA for the conveniences of teachers. He said that the Social Science curriculum revision has completed by the NCERT in coordination with the JKBOSE and new text book with new map of India have been prepared.
Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, KK Sharma, Joint Secretaries MHRD Sanjay Kumar Sinha and LS Changsan, Vice Chancellor University of Kashmir Talat Ahmad, Secretary Higher Education Department Talat Parvez, Director NCERT HK Senapati, District Development Commissioner Srinagar Dr. Shahid Iqbal, Director School Education Mohammad Younis Malik, Director IIM Jammu BS Sahai and college principals, teachers and students were present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, Advisor KK Sharma said that it is a matter of privilege for Jammu & Kashmir that in the last week members of the union cabinet are visiting and interacting with people even at block and village levels to know about their developmental aspirations which can be addressed at central level.
Later, the Union Minister distributed awards among the students and teachers for outstanding performances in the field of education and sports.