Altaf Bukhari reviews progress under RMSA

TNN Bureau. Updated: 2/28/2017 7:16:13 PM Jammu and Kashmir

Close monitoring of works, timely completion prioritized 407 more HSSs to have ICT facility; Enrolment in Girls hostels to begin soon

JAMMU, FEBRUARY 28: Minister for Education Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari today said the Government will prioritize timely completion of Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) works by evolving an effective monitoring mechanism through the education department itself.
Chairing a high level meeting convened to review the physical and financial progress under flagship RMSA scheme here today, the Minister asked Education Department to monitor the pace of works taken up under various components of the secondary education scheme.
Secretary School Education, Shaleen Kabra, Project Director, Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan, Suagat Biswas, Director School Education, Jammu Babila Rakwal, senior functionaries of RMSA directorate and education department were present at the meeting.
“Don’t look at the executing agencies for completion of works. Take own initiatives to ensure timely completion and go for rationalization of cost of works as per the geographical condition of the areas,” he said.
Citing the example of Girls hostels being constructed in educationally backward blocks, he said the construction cost could be well less of the estimated cost in a particular area and could be more in hilly areas. This should be kept in mind while going for tenders as the savings at one place can be utilized where the cost could be higher due to geographical conditions or for developing other infrastructure. He also called for exploring the possibility to execute the works by the department itself adding a works division can be created for the purpose.
Pertinently 68 Girls’ hostels are being presently constructed under RMSA in various educationally backward blocks near main educational institutions of the place to facilitate education of girl students from rural catchment areas.
Describing the project as highly fruitful for promotion of girl education, the Minister asked the authorities to go for rental accommodation till the hostel buildings are completed- for which there is already a provision in the scheme.
The Minister asked the authorities to complete the process of hiring buildings by end of March as also start enrolment of girls in all identified areas. He set April 1, 2017 as deadline for completing the whole process and shifting of girls in the rented hostels.
The Minister underscored the need for optimum use of infrastructure being developed in schools under RMSA and SSA, especially for computer and IT education.
It was informed that 407 new higher secondary schools would be equipped for computer and IT education, while facility at existing 220 schools would be further upgraded this financial year.
Under this component of RMSA, government would develop a set-up to provide and augment the IT education in schools and also to enhance the quality of IT existing education schemes.
The meeting was told that presently 222 higher secondary schools have been provided IT infrastructure to run smart classrooms and e-Education learning, besides acting as community facility.
The government has also decided to run short term computer courses through these establishments after the schools hours to promote IT and Computer Education among the local youth.
The Minister called for judicious use of funds in the construction of building and facilities therein. He called for taking special care of the needs of special children while making buildings as provided under the Inclusive Education component of RMSA. He asked the officers to go for innovations while developing infrastructure as they have to meet needs of huge geographically diverse area.


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