Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah Thursday underlined the need of making educational institutions seats of excellence and modern education to produce the best product of fullest market relevance. He said subjects of latest science and technological aspects should be introduced in the educational institutions for the students so that after completing their studies they get upto the mark placements in various institutes in different sectors.The Chief Minister was reviewing the progress and functioning of J&K Sainik School, Mansbal (JKSSM) at its 14th meeting of Board of Governors he chaired here.
Omar Abdullah who is also Chairman of the Board of Governors of the School said that while imparting education in different subjects, the educational institutions should devote equal attention for inculcating high moral values in the students. “Moral education is equally important to that of academic education”, he said and added that every educational institution should focus on this significant aspect to galvanize the future (students) of the Country with high principles of morality.The Chief Minister said that the residential school J&K Sainik School, Mansbal founded by Sher-i-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, completely managed and run by the State Government have to walk an extra-mile in making it one of the best residential schools in the Country.
The Chief Minister said that his Government has attached priority attention to universalize school education and make higher education accessible to all in all the regions and sub-regions of the State. He said various new universities and their satellite campuses are functioning in the State besides a network of degree colleges in the government sector to reach out to the students in all areas and make available good platform to them to move ahead in their pursuit to achieve new goals in modern education. Omar Abdullah said that focus is also on to produce high market oriented product from the higher education institutions so that they are easily absorbed in the job market. He said upgradation of employability and skill development programmes have been launched under various initiatives to address the unemployment and make education more job-oriented.
The Chief Minister granted Rs. 30 lakh to the school from his Constituency Development Fund (CDF) for upgradation of library, laboratory, sports and medical facilities. He also approved another Rs. 20 lakhs for construction of residential quarters for Class-IV employees and Rs. 10 lakhs for making solar plant functional.The Chief Minister also enhanced the dietary charges for the students of the school. He asked the school management to formulate a comprehensive proposal for walling of the school and construction of other infrastructure. The meeting discussed various matters pertaining to the construction of infrastructure, upgradation of library and laboratories, medical facilities, smart classes, training of teachers, administrative affairs, solar power supply, financial support and service matters.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister, Tara Chand, Chief Secretary, Mohammad Iqbal Khandey, Principal Secretary Planning and Development, B. R. Sharma, Principal Secretary Finance, B. B. Vyas, Director School Education, Kashmir and Principal J&K Sainik School, Mansbal, Gayas-ud-Din Sheikh.
The Board approved the appointment of Gayas-ud-Din Sheikh as the Principal of Sainik School. He has been relieved from the additional charge of Principal Boys Higher Secondary Ganderbal. The School Education Department has been asked to place new Principal for the Ganderbal Higher Secondary School.In the PowerPoint presentation the Principal of the School presented resume of the progress achieved by the School and measures taken to upgrade its educational, physical educational and extra-curricular status of the School.