Highlighting the efforts being made to rejuvenate the education sector in the State and to bring back the focus on students, Minister for Education, Naeem Akhtar, Saturday said that career counselling for students will be started soon so that they can be given guidance in choosing a career of their liking. He said counselling will help students plan better for their future, set goals and save time, adding that time is very precious and crucial for better career prospects. The Minister said that in this regard, expert help is also being arranged.The Minister was speaking as Chief Guest at the prize distribution ceremony of the Cross Country Run from M. A Road to Botanical Garden organized by S P Higher Secondary School, Srinagar.
Congratulating the School Management, teachers and students for organizing such an event, the Minister said that S. P. Higher Secondary School has been a renowned institute not only in Srinagar but also in the entire State, adding that the teachers and the students need to redouble their efforts to bring glory back to the institute, which will also give them a sense of pride and belonging. He said the institute should come up as a Model School.The Minister asked the students to form an IT-Team in the School comprising students from Class 10th or 11th, which will handle social media for the school. It will highlight various activities of the school and help in e-learning, he said. He also asked the students to develop a face-book page for the school.
With regard to availability of computer lab facility in the school, the Minister said that till such facility is made available, arrangement shall be made for the students to use the computer lab at S. P. College.The Minister asked for promotion of extra-curricular activities in the school and gave instructions to constitute a Mountaineering Club for the institution, which would promote culture of exploration and observatory learning among the students. In this regard, the Minister asked the concerned to organize screening of a movie on “Mountains of Kashmir” for the students.In order to give impetus to sports activities, the Minister said that “Lone Star Football Club” has been requested to play a demonstration match at the school and also help in development of the school sports ground. The Minister asked the students to have a football and a cricket team of their own.
The Minister said that all necessary support will be given to the institute but the students and the teachers also need to reciprocate by putting in their best efforts to improve the education scenario.Director School Education, Kashmir, Principal, S. P. Higher Secondary School and other officers were also present at the ceremony.A large number of students participated in the run. The Minister distributed prizes among the winners. First position was bagged by Shoaib of Commerce Stream while as, second and third positions were bagged by Faizan and Zeeshan Ali respectively, both of Arts Stream.Later, the Minister also attended the prize distribution ceremony of the Annual Cross Country Run organized by Sir Syed Memorial, Higher Secondary School, Parrypora, Srinagar.
Secretary BOSE, Veena Pandita and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister appreciated the private institutions for achieving better results in matriculation. He said there is also best talent available in the Government Schools, both among the teachers and the students; they need to be given the atmosphere and encouragement to achieve better results. He said Government is taking all necessary steps so that the Government schools along with private institutions also do better.Akhtar said students should be encouraged to explore outside world by involving them in extramural activities. He said activities like field visits, hiking, mountaineering and expeditions should also be promoted among the students to energize their capabilities.The Minister asked for encouraging debates in the schools, adding that debates should be held on contemporary topics and the ones with which the students can relate and topics that give a social message.The Minister said that schools should also have Book Reading Clubs, inculcating habit of reading books in the students as well as faculty.