JAMMU, JANUARY 21 (KNO) : Minister for Education, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari today asked the teaching fraternity to provide quality education and inculcate moral values in students so that they become responsible citizens of the country. The Minister said this while addressing a large gathering of all heads of private schools during the 2nd State Level Conference held at Teacher Bhawan, here today. Minister for Forests, Ecology and Environment Choudhary Lal Singh, Minister of State for Education, Tourism and Culture Priya Sethi besides Secretary School Education Farooq Ahmed Shah, Chairperson Board of School Education Veena Pandita, Director School Education Jammu Ravinder Singh and representatives of Private School Associations were present on the occasion. Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said that Government has decided to introduce music and fine arts subject at Higher Secondary level in addition to string of reforms to improve the school education at all levels with special focus on improvement of elementary education. He said that special focus has been laid on introduction of new range of subjects to make school education more vibrant and broad-based. Responding to the issues projected by the representatives of the private schools, the Minister said that Government is serious in solving the issues of private schools. He said that private schools have a key role in education system and Government is making all out efforts to provide full support to the schools. In his address, Choudhary Lal Singh said that the government has taken various initiatives to revive education sector across the State and is upgrading infrastructure in various schools so that students get benefitted. He asked the teaching fraternity to provide quality education to the students adding that they are the main architect in shaping the personality of the students. The Minister further said that it is firm commitment of the government to ensure that this vital sector gets a fillip in all aspects as it forms the basis of a strong nation. He exhorted upon the school authorities to make sure that their institution serves as a vibrant center of excellence. Appreciating role of private schools in spreading education, Choudhary Lal Singh said the private education institutes have done commendable job in providing quality education in the state and some of the institutes have made their name in spreading the light of education. “We appreciate the role of private schools and call upon them to adopt underprivileged children of their areas so that those living below the poverty line can also get access to good quality education,” he added. Minister of State for Education, Culture and Tourism Priya Sethi said that Government is keen to provide better education for which a comprehensive plan has been formulated to improve the education standard in the state. She said that Government is making all out efforts to improve education scenario across the State with quality education and latest techniques and infrastructural facilities. She said that education sector has played vital role in shaping the personality of the nation builders. The Minister said the Government has brought reforms to improve the education delivery system as well as opening of opportunities for perusing education, adding that the concept of remedial classes at evening is one such step taken by the Government to give education aspirants a chance to peruse education at their convenience.(KNO)