Minister for Education, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari today inaugurated a three-day ‘J&K Teachers Science Congress’ at Jammu and Kashmir Institute of Mathematical Sciences (JKIMS) at Amar Singh College, here. The three-day programme, which will conclude on November 14, was organized by JKIMS in collaboration with Directorate of School Education J&K. The programme was also supported by Department of Science and Technology.Principal Secretary Higher Education Department, Dr Asgar Hassan Samoon was also present on the occasion. The Congress was attended by VC Cluster University Srinagar, Dr. Sheikh Javaid, VC IUST, Prof. Mushtaq Ahmad Siddiqi, District Development Commissioner, Srinagar, Dr Syed Abid Rasheed Shah, Director School Education, Kashmir, Dr G.N Itoo, Director Ramanuja Institute of Mathematics, Chennai, Dr. G.P Youvrajan, Director JKIMS Srinagar, Prof. Assia Siddiqi, Nodal Principal Kashmir, Dr. Yasmeen Ashai, Dean Academics, Cluster University Srinagar, Principals and teachers from various colleges and students of JKIMS.On the occasion, Bukhari appreciated organizers for holding such a programme and said this will help in the training of teachers which would prove a good step towards improvement in the deliverance of education. He said that Education Department is conducting workshops, training programmes, seminars on a regular basis in various schools, colleges and universities in the State to enrich teachers and students with vistas of the field.
The Minister said that the Government under the leadership of Mehbooba Mufti is keen to improve the Education sector in J&K. “We have already started the process of providing adequate faculty to all the schools and colleges across State, and we will complete the process of filling by next year,” Bukhari said. He said that Education Department is trying to access the various requirements in different parts of J&K with regards to education and we are on a job to fulfil those requirements. In this regard, Bukhari said, 15 new colleges will be established in the various uncovered areas of J&K that will cater the needs of students in those areas. In addition, two Colleges of Education will also be established in the State. Bukhari said that the overhaul of education sector cannot be done overnight but if worked with zeal and dedication we can achieve 20% of the goal in a year and within four to five years we will have a different face of the education system. Commenting on the news of fee hike by some private schools, Bukhari said that every school has to obey the rules and regulations set by the Government and if any school doesn’t abide by the rules, strict action will be initiated against them.About the upcoming Children’s day celebrations, the Minister said Education Department will celebrate this year’s Children’s Day as “Enrollment Day” with the slogan “Hamaray Bachay, Hamara School”. Through this event we will try to bring more and more children towards schools for their better future, he said.Director School Education Kashmir, Dr G.N Itoo appealed all the heads of Schools to organize the special functions on “Enrollment Day” onNovember 14 in their respective schools and appealed them to invite parents and students as well in such functions.Later, the Minister released the College magazine, ‘Souvenir’.