Numerous measures undertaken to ensure 100% enrolment at Primary level - Rs 68.34 lakh approved for infrastructure in 9 schools of Ramgarh Constituency: Sakeena Itoo

JAMMU: Minister for Education, Sakeena Itoo, today informed the House that nine schools in Ramgarh Constituency have been approved for creation of various infrastructure facilities with a financial implication of Rs. 68.34 lakh under Samagra Shiksha. The Minister said this while replying to a question raised by Legislator Balwant Singh Mankotia on behalf of MLA Dr. Devinder Manyal in the Legislative Assembly regarding status of schools in border areas.

She informed that the School Education department has initiated numerous measures to bring children to schools and ensure 100% enrolment at Primary level. She added that steps are being taken to address the declining enrolment in schools like conduct of enrolment drives by DSEJ/K, identification of out of School Children through door-to-door survey and their mainstreaming through direct enrolment and establishment of seasonal centres for the children of tribal migratory population to prevent learning disruption during the migratory period.

The Minister also said that free uniforms and text books are being provided to around 8 lakh children, Mid-Day Meal under PM POSHAN to every child from pre-primary sections to Class 8th as well as scholarship is being provided to the girl students under the Beti Anmol Scheme to encourage the girl’s education at Senior Secondary Level. She added that the school buildings and land rendered vacant due to the merger of schools has been handed over to the concerned District Administration for utilization by the other departments.

The Minister also said that there is no proposal for up-gradation of schools to next higher level from Primary to Middle, Middle to High and High to Higher Secondary including the schools of border areas, as the School Education Department is focusing on creation of required infrastructure and providing staff to all the schools especially the upgraded ones.

She added that as and when there is any proposal for up-gradation of existing schools, the feasible schools of border areas shall also be examined for consideration. The Minister also said that nine schools of border villages falling in Samba district have been proposed for up-gradation in terms of infrastructure and other facilities under Vibrant Village Programme (VVP-II).