Minister of Education, Mr Naeem Akhtar today said there is a need for social audit of school system and people have to ensure the accountability of the system.The Minister was interacting with students, staff and parents while visiting Boys Higher Secondary School Poonch and Girls Higher Secondary School Sheeshmahal, Poonch. He said the government has already taken many initiatives like rationalization of infrastructure and human resource, which has been appreciated by the public. “Now it is the time for people to become proactive in ensuring that the reformed education system works fine,” said Akhtar. “It is the positive synergy between public and administration that will bear fruits.”He further said that government school children represent our real society and government is committed towards their welfare.
The Minister directed the concerned officials to start nursery classes in government schools, coaching classes for entrance examinations and evening tuition classes in schools at the schools. He also directed the BHSS Poonch to establish a herbal garden in the school premises to showcase local herbal heritage.Mr Akhtar said that the compartmentalization of education into primary, middle, high and higher secondary schools is its biggest tragedy. “The best practice like that adopted by private schools is to provide Nursery to 12th standard at a single school,” he said. “We have to de-wall the education system and focus on integration.”He said that modernization of Madrassas and economic empowerment of children enrolled in Madrassas would also remain in government focus.During a separate function at local Bar Complex, the Minister said that Poonch is a romantic place that has also recalled great personalities like Dr Sheikh Abdullah who contributed vastly to propagation of womens education against all odds at that time. “We have immense talent and the need of the hour is to channelize it,” said Akhtar. “People should take pride in their identity and pluralism of our state. And Poonch can serve as a torch bearer in preserving secularism in the state.”