LG launches smart schools project for tribal communities

200 schools to be transformed in smart classrooms

Jammu: Asserting that the securing future of tribal kids is priority of government, the Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha launched ambitious project of transforming 200 schools into smart schools for tribal communities.
The modernization of Smart Schools will be executed in two phases. In the first phase, works related to 100 schools will be completed by March 2022 and another 100 schools by December 2022.
“Provide scholarships to 21,000 children of Gaddi, Sippi, Dard, Sheena communities who were deprived of the same for the last three decades,” Lieutenant Governor said while addressing the gathering at the launch of Smart Schools here at a function.
“In 1991, the Gaddi, Sippi community was declared tribal but their children were denied scholarship. For three decades they kept approaching governments but no decision was taken. This issue was brought to my notice just a few days back and we immediately decided that scholarships will be provided to the 21,000 children of Gaddi, Sippi, Dard, Sheena communities”, he added.
He congratulated the Tribal communities and the concerned administrative departments for the historic beginning of the new era of educational empowerment of Tribals in J&K.
“Our priority is to secure the future of tribal children. Smart schools in tribal & remote areas equipped with modern facilities will develop scientific temper in children and make them future ready, besides arresting the drop-out rate”, said the Lt Governor
“The UT government has formulated a visionary framework for the functioning of the Smart Schools. Members of the Tribal communities, PRI representatives, and the people associated with voluntary organizations will be involved in the management so that these schools could perform the role of ‘changemakers’ in our society, observed the Lt Governor.
He noted, “Lives are changed when people connect. Life is changed when everything is connected. Tribal Education Plan, Scholarships, Smart Schools will do justice to tribal communities in J&K who were neglected for decades.”
These groundbreaking initiatives will also ensure that the members of the tribal communities can keep pace with the revolutionary and rapid changes happening around them and connect themselves to the world, he added. The Lt Governor expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for awakening the self-confidence of the tribal community.
The Lt Governor highlighted that J&K administration is collectively spending around Rs 104 crore to strengthen school infrastructure in tribal areas and establish a strong educational ecosystem for the tribal community.
The Lt Governor observed that educational reforms catering to the needs of the future have the power to change the socio-economic situation.