Director School Education Jammu, Dr Ravi Shankar Sharma conducted an extensive tour of the Lohai –Malhar region of Kathua district to assess the problems being faced by students of Government High School Lohai Malhar, in particular and the area in general.
Kamal Kumar, BDC Chairman; Parkash Lal Thappa, Chief Education Officer, Kathua; Dy CEO, Kathua and ZEO, Malhar also accompanied him. He inspected the ongoing works in Government High School, Lohaiwhich included three Additional Classrooms, Arts and Crafts room, Computer Room, Library, CWSN toilet, etc. at a cost of more than Rupees One Crores.
While interacting with students, BDC member, sarpanch, retired educationists and locals people he also informed that immediate instructions have been passed on to concerned for completion of the incomplete building and redressal of issues in terms of academic and infrastructural gaps in the schools falling in this far flung area.
He disclosed that projects which are under various stages of completion in the school once completed will give impetus to the education in this far flung area bringing in new heights of accomplishment for students and public in general.It was also disclosed that some works including tiling of old block, whitewash and upgrading of toilets have been completed.
He also assured that the Government is well aware of education needs of such far flung areas and have taken up several projects in the area for providing the best education to the students of the area and reducing the dropout rate, especially that of female students.
It was informed that a 50 bedded residential school for girls, Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV) has been made functional at Bajoi.Similarly, a 100 bedded Girls Hostel, with an investment of about Rs 3 crore is coming up at Machedi.
The progress in distribution of free textbooks, uniforms, scholarships and mid day meals was also reviewed. He exhorted that all the students, including those living in such far flung areas, should take full advantage of facilities being provided by the Government. .
It may be mentioned that recently a video of a girl child of Government High School, Lohai, requesting the Prime Minister to improve the infrastructure of the school has gone viral on social media.
Later, Director School Education also visited the Government Higher Secondary School, Machedi, where a 100 bedded hostel for girls is under construction by the Samagra Shiksha.
He interacted with the staff, students and PRI members of the area and conveyed that all their concerns regarding infrastructure and staff shall be resolved within shortest possible time.
He directed the concerned Dy CEO and ZEO to make frequent visits in the area to assess the progress of the facilities being extended by Government to the students.