Minister for Education, Naeem Akhtar today called for exploring possibility of introducing paid vocational courses in Jammu’s premier institute of higher education - Government College for Women (GCW) Parade.He asked the administration of the autonomous College to frame a proposal and include courses that interest the students of the college as well as have high market demand.“The vocational courses with high employment potential can be introduced on payment basis in the premier institute,” the Minister suggested during his visit to the city college, which has been accorded autonomous status by the University Grants Commission (UGC) for a period of six years.
He said some of the courses which can be introduced initially include interior designing, fashion designing etc.
Interacting with the students, the Minister also enquired from them about the courses which are most suited to them and meet the present day market demand. The Minister also asked the College Management to integrate the four schools, including HSS Girls adopted by it by sharing expertise in teaching learning process and other resources. He said that henceforth the performance of the college would be viewed in association with the schools it has adopted.
The Education Minister also visited Model Higher Secondary School (HSS) Girls Mubarak Mandi and reviewed the functioning of the institute. He inspected the classrooms and assessed the teaching levels in the school by interacting with the students and the staff.Expressing dismay on finding majority of students lacking in confidence and responding poorly, the Minister asked teachers to use interactive teaching and encourage intellectual debates to overcome learning gaps in classroom.“Teachers should encourage intellectual exercise to involve all so that the students with varied capabilities are not left behind” Minister asked the teachers.
“You have to develop confidence among the students and see to it that all of them get involved in the learning process. That can be done by encouraging intellectual debates and interactions,” he told the teachers.The Minister also inspected the computer facility, laboratories and classrooms of the school and issued instructions for their upgradation.Director School Education, Smita Sethi also accompanied the Minister during his visit to the city institutes. Earlier in a separate function, State Commissioner I D Soni and Commissioner MM Joshi, Scouts and Guides Movement offered flag and sticker to the Minister to mark Flag Day celebration.The Flag Day marks the foundation day of Scouts and Guides and is celebrated world over for a month starting from November 7 every year. They also informed the Minister about the steps being taken for spreading the Scouts and Guides Movement in the state.