Member of Legislative Council Surinder Kumar Choudhary today chaired a meeting of Department Related Standing Committee (DRSC-III) to discuss and review the overall functioning of the Education Department.Legislators, Showkat Hussain Ganai, Zaffar Iqbal Manhas and Charanjeet Singh attended the meeting and gave their suggestion to streamline the education scenario of the state.Secretary Education Department, Farooq Ahmed Shah briefed the Committee about the activities of the Department, besides measures taken to further improve infrastructure and education scenario in the State.He informed the Committee about present status of Girls Hostel under construction in various districts under RMSA in the state and the steps taken for installation of solar power system in 450 schools in far off areas to ensure proper supply of electricity to these institutes.Secretary also informed the Committee about the SMS system started by the authorities to check the attendance of staff, students and other systems for school management. He further apprised the Committee that directions have been given to concerned head of institutions including ZEOs, CEOs etc to visit the institutions falling in far flung areas thrice in a week and to personally to monitor the implementation of reformative policies at ground level.
The Committee directed the concerned to take effective steps to complete the construction of school buildings under SSA, RMSA which are being constructed by PWD and other agencies and construction of proper toilet in the government institutions.The Chairman directed the concerned authorities to submit detailed replies to the Committee on enquiries raised and submit the same in a timely manner.The Committee also stressed on concerned authorities to ensure transparency in transfer policy of education department.Besides, the Committee also held discussions on other issues including universal literacy, Evening/Remedial classes, Super- 50 classes and tuition in schools, New Education Policy at national level, State Capex Budget, Beti Hai Anmol Yojana, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA), dropout rate, quality education, constructions of Schools, Up-gradation of Middle Schools to High Schools and other aims and objectives.Among others, Special Council Secretariat, Mohammad Ashraf Wani, Deputy Secretary, Council, Ali Mohammad Rawat, CEOs, and other senior officers of Education Department and Council Secretariat were also present in the meeting.