Minister for Agriculture, Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura Monday said that education is key to overall development of the State, adding that teachers shall have to work with dedication to provide quality education to the students.This was stated by the Minister at a meeting convened to review the educational activities and discussed overall functioning of the education sector of the district Budgam.The meeting also reviewed the activities undertaken by the department under Centrally Sponsored Schemes, Sarva Shikhsha Abhiyan (SSA) and Rashtriya Madhyamik Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA). The meeting was attended by the Chief Education Officer Budgam and all Zonal Education Officers of district Budgam.
Agriculture Minister directed the concerned agencies to speed up the ongoing construction work of school buildings, KGBVs, Kitchen Sheds, Toilet Points, Additional Classrooms, Head Teacher Rooms and Model Schools under NEPGEL and complete them in stipulated timeframe. He further instructed them to use funds judiciously.Hanjura directed the officers to assess the school buildings damaged due to floods and land erosion in the district and submit a proposal in this regard for development of infrastructure for all such buildings. He asked all Zonal Education Officers to conduct field visits of their respective jurisdictions and ensure the attendance of the teaching and non-teaching staff besides, maintaining cleanliness in and around the educational institutions. He also called for rationalization of the staff.
The Minister also took stock of mobile and seasonal schools functioning in the district. He directed the concerned to ensure their proper working and monitor their activities.Detailed discussions were also held on distribution of scholarships. Hanjura directed the concerned to distribute Gujjar and Bakkerwal and merit scholarships among the beneficiaries well in time.He was told that due to non availability of Saving Bank Account Numbers, the department is facing lot of difficulties in distribution of scholarships to the students. The Minister asked the Education Officers to maintain close coordination with the Jammu and Kashmir Bank and solve the issues at an earliest. (GNS)