Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti today formally launched the distribution of All Terrain Mountain Bikes among the eligible meritorious male students.The Chief Minister handed over 100 such bikes to the meritorious students of various districts of Kashmir province and eventually some 650 eligible meritorious students in the State would be getting these bikes under the scheme.It may be recalled that at the launch of scooty scheme for girl students last year, Mehbooba Mufti had announced launch of a similar scheme for meritorious boys in schools.Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said it is her endeavour to restore back the children their childhood smile which they have been unfortunately robbed off due to continued turbulence and turmoil for the last three decades. She directed holding of various extracurricular events at district, provincial and State level which would instill interest and confidence among the children.
Mehbooba Mufti expressed satisfaction that educational scenario at the learning institutes is getting improved over the past sometime. She complimented the teaching community for this and advised them to give special attention to the grooming of students as they (the teachers) have a greater impact on the psyche of students than their parents.The Chief Minister said teacher-student relation is a sacred bonding which ought to be revived and strengthened. She said a teacher does not teach a group of students only, he is laying the foundation of a future generation also. She advised the Education Department for instituting annual awards for encouraging best performing teachers.In his address, Minister for Education, Syed Altaf Bukhari said his Department is rolling out an annual calendar of extracurricular activities for students besides regular studies. He said his Department is holding a science exhibition soon which would give the students a platform to display their creative talent. He said the fortnightly train run-Vadi Ki Sair has been a huge attraction with the students and more features are being added to it.
Earlier, in his address, Secretary, Education, Farooq Ahmad Shah said the Department has incentivized the performance of schools and teachers in examinations and the institutional heads have been made accountable. He said the schools and teachers giving cent per cent results would be suitably rewarded.Director, School Education, Kashmir, Dr. G N Ittoo in his speech appealed the parents to take the education of their wards seriously and cooperate with the Department in this regard. He said the Department has taken many steps for redressing the needs of teaching community.Chairman, J&K BOSE, Prof. Zahoor Chatt; officers of various wings of Education Department; Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, Dr. Farooq Ahmad Lone and other senior officers were present on the occasion.