Minister for Education, Social Welfare, Health and Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo, chaired a high-level review meeting today at the Civil Secretariat to assess the performance and progress of ongoing projects in the School Education and Higher Education Departments across Jammu and Kashmir.
The meeting gathered key officials including Additional Chief Secretary, Higher Education Department, Shantmanu; Secretary School Education, Ram Niwas Sharma; Director General of School Education Kashmir, Dr. G.N. Itoo; and senior officials like the Project Director of Samagra Shiksha, Directors of Finance and Planning, and Chief Education Officers (CEOs) from all districts.
During the meeting, Minister Itoo conducted a comprehensive evaluation of significant developmental initiatives and infrastructure projects underway in J&K.
While reviewing ongoing projects under the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA), Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA), and the CAPEX budget, the Minister strongly emphasized the timely execution of works, particularly for infrastructure development, digital learning, teacher training, and curriculum enhancements.
She directed executing agencies to complete all college construction projects within stipulated timelines while ensuring strict adherence to quality standards. Furthermore, she called for rigorous monitoring and field inspections to eliminate any implementation bottlenecks.
Addressing faculty shortages, Itoo urged the Higher Education Department to explore increasing remuneration for academic arrangement teachers to attract qualified professionals until permanent vacancies are filled. She also instructed the creation of sanctioned posts for newly established degree colleges to facilitate smooth operations.
In her review of the School Education Department, Itoo emphasized the need for digital transformation in classrooms. She directed officials to accelerate the installation of smart classrooms, ICT labs, and e-content facilities, especially in remote areas, to effectively bridge the learning gap that exists.
The Minister called upon CEOs to utilize Samagra Shiksha funds efficiently and maintain close communication with project-executing agencies for timely work completion.
To streamline operations, she mandated the appointment of a Nodal Officer in each district to coordinate with the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) for prompt vigilance clearances. Additionally, she instructed the CEOs to submit monthly progress reports to their respective Heads of Departments.
Lastly, Itoo called for the early finalization of proposals for de-freezing teacher posts ensuring timely recruitment and strengthening the teaching cadre across Jammu and Kashmir.
