Srinagar, July 03 (KNO) : Puncturing the tall claims of state government to take education sector to new heights, the authorities are yet to setup its model schools in the state despite the passage of four years.
The previous regime had announced in September 2015 that the government will establish model schools across Jammu and Kashmir with an aim to transform the education in the state.
An official told Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the government had identified over 150 government higher secondary schools for their up gradation as model schools. But the scheme hit a roadblock owing to laxity of the department.
“The government had announced perspective plans for these schools but till date only signboards of few higher secondary schools were changed as model schools while as the academic as well as the infrastructural standards depict the grim picture in these schools,” an official told KNO.
The official who is privy to the developments told KNO that the government had decided to provide Rs 3 lakh to Rs 4 lakh for each school which was identified to be upgraded as model school but the funds were not released to bring reforms in these educational institutions.
“It was decided that government will provide additional funds to these schools in addition to the routine annual plans. Various meetings were held and documentation was done but everything remained confined to only papers,” the official told KNO.
It may be recalled that the then education minister had urged the legislators to adopt at least one school and provide financial assistance from CDF for transformation of these schools into model schools.
“But none of the MLAs ever provided any funds for the cause. They made commitments which were not fulfilled later,” the official told KNO. As part of the policy, the school after designated as model schools, the department had decided to introduce new subject streams for students which however didn’t happen.
“The initiative was shelved after the reshuffle of ministers when Mehbooba Mufti was appointed as Chief Minister of J&K state,” the official said. An official from planning section of the education department said only 22 of 154 which include 12 higher secondary schools from Kashmir and 10 from Jammu were picked under the new initiative for their up gradation was model schools.
“The state government allocated Rs 6 crore for the initiative in Kashmir and Rs 5 crore for Jammu region for establishment of model schools. Unfortunately, the allotted funds were not released later," the official said.
Secretary school education department, Sarita Chauhan told KNO that the establishment of model schools was an ongoing process and all the identified schools will be established as model schools in a phased manner.
“We are providing funds to all the schools for electrification and equipping other facilities. Similarly, model schools is also a priority with us and government will fulfill all the parameters requisite for establishment of model school,” she said.(KNO)