Directs for institutionalizing monitoring of RMSA.
JAMMU: Stating that education holds key to the socio-economic development, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah Tuesday said that his government has underlined this sector as one of the most important concerns in the State’s policy plan.
“We have focused on the development of education at all primary, secondary and higher levelsâ€, he said adding that creation of required infrastructure, faculties, necessary paraphernalia and equipment with quality education are receiving equal attention.
The Chief Minister said that the comprehensive development of education as per modern requirements to nurture young generation in such a mould as would enable it to face futuristic challenges befittingly is need of the hour. He said all available initiatives in the State and Central sectors should be taken best advantage of building academic and moral excellence of students making educational institutions real seats of learning and human resource development.
Chairing the 1st meeting of Governing Body (Noor Society) of Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) here, the Chief Minister asked for institutionalizing monitoring of physical and financial achievements of the scheme.
“You should ensure that the benefits of the scheme substantially contribute for the growth and development of education in the State particularly at secondary level for which RMSA initiative has been introduced with the assistance of Union Governmentâ€, he added.
The meeting was attended by Minister for School Education, Peerzada Mohammad Sayed, Chief Secretary, Madhav Lal, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, B. B. Vyas, Directors of School Education from Kashmir and Jammu Divisions, Project Director, RMSA and various other senior officers.
Omar Abdullah told the Governing Body to ensure transfer of annual school grant to the School Management Committees without creating channels to avoid delays. He said the School Management Committees which also incorporate Panchayat Members in its management could better utilize the funds and field educational officers monitor its utilization.
The Chief Minister said that the funds earmarked for the development of infrastructure should be utilized in such a way as would enable its completion block-wise and work-wise so that the completed portions are used without waiting for the completion of whole complex.
Omar Abdullah asked the Governing Body to dovetail the schemes available under vocational education making the programme comprehensive and result-oriented. “You could start the process in two districts one each from Kashmir and Jammu as pilot projects and then extending it to other districtsâ€, he added.
The meeting discussed matters relating to model school scheme, girls school scheme, initiatives to CS and ST girls for secondary education, national means-cum-merit scholarship, information communication technology, inclusive education for disabled at secondary stage, vocational education, appointment of language teachers and other issues pertaining to the RMSA.
The meeting also discussed matters relating to the creation of organizational setup for RMSA, service regulation for Noor Society, financial norms and construction of schools under RMSA.
In a PowerPoint presentation made by Director RMSA it was given out that during 2009-10 as many as 69 middle schools have been upgraded while upgradation of 182 schools was ordered in 2010-11 and 279 middle schools have been sanctioned for upgradation for the year 2011-12.
He said the budget approved under RMSA for the year 2010-11 stood at Rs. 122.60 crore while it has been approved at Rs. 300.80 crores for the year 2011-12. He said 75 percent of budget grants are being provided by the Central Government. (KMW News)
