Minister for Education, Naeem Akhtar, today said that efficient teaching system would ultimately improve education standards in the State.He said this while chairing a meeting to review progress of various works under the Rashtriya Uchhatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) aimed for betterment of higher education in the State.The Meeting was attended by Commissioner Secretary Higher Education, Asgar Samoon, Director RUSA, Director Colleges, Registrar of all State Universities, Nodal Principals of Amar Singh College Srinagar and GGM College Jammu, Nodal Officer Cluster University Jammu and other concerned officials.During the meeting, the Minister was informed that almost 60 percent of physical work has been completed on various projects taken under the RUSA project. It was further added that Rs 54.46 crore was spent on various components of the scheme under State Higher Education Plan (SHEP) till September 2016 against the total availability of Rs 89.29 crores. Of them Rs 77.55 crore was released as central share by MHRD and Rs 11.74 crore by the State Government.
The Minister urged the concerned officials to complete the projects within the stipulated time and improvise from time to time for the benefit of students.It was given out that Cluster University Jammu has received Rs 17.74 crore, whereas Cluster University Srinagar has received Rs 17.48 crore.Speaking on the occasion, Naeem Akhtar directed reframing of various courses to be offered at the cluster universities so that they will become as seed bed for entrepreneurs. He said that besides handicrafts, modern trade should be taught at the universities as well.The Minister also asked the officials to develop a world class model for a multipurpose auditorium that can host cultural functions, student parent meets, exams, indoor sports activities and other functions. He said that such multipurpose halls should be constructed at every college and university level.The Education Minister stressed on expediting pace of work on the revival of EDUSAT network. He ordered the officials to come up with a plan to revive the important network within a week’s time as the same will help central as well as far off colleges in the State.He also asked the officials to immediately start induction courses for the newly appointed College and University lecturers. He said that the course will help these new recruits to deliver efficiently and improve the standards of the teaching in the State.