Signifying the non-seriousness of the authorities, the much-hyped initiative of district administration Srinagar to set up model schools in the district has been shelved. The administration had decided to upgrade the schools after imitating the Delhi model of schools.An official told wire service — Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the initiative was taken with a multi prolonged strategy to make government schools more attractive with special focus on improving learning outcomes in these schools.“But the initiative was marred due to the slow pace of authorities in execution of the project. “The initiative remained confined to only official meetings. To begin with, the administration had decided to construct a model school building at Kothi Bagh middle school but the work on the building is yet to be taken up,” the official told KNO.The official further informed that the decision to upgrade schools on modern lines was taken after reading Delhi model of schools. “After doing a survey, around 110 schools were shortlisted for up gradation out of which 25 schools qualified for it,” the official said.
The official said, around 25 schools- primary and middle schools were selected for up gradation on modern lines after convening series of meeting staff and taking feedback from students as well.“The administration had decided to upgrade the schools in phased manner but the up gradation of schools chosen in first phase is yet to start. No one knows about fate of schools which are to be picked in second and third phase,” the official said.The schools which were supposed to be up graded on modern lines were supposed to get smart classrooms, proper drinking water supply, electricity and better infrastructure.“After making presentations and holding meeting with education department, the department couldn’t execute the project. The execution was delayed due to prevailing uncertainty which erupted in Valley post abrogation of Article 370,” the official said.Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Shahid Iqbal Choudhary when contacted said that the project was not shelved but the execution of work was delayed due to the prevailing situation in Kashmir.“But we are holding meetings with the officials in this regard and the work on schools will be started as early as possible. We are hopeful to complete all the requisite works by the next academic session,” Choudhary told KNO. (KNO)