Jammu and Kashmir,Dec14 Buzzbytes : Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha led a comprehensive review meeting to assess the progress of the PM SHRI Schools (PM Schools for Rising India) scheme in the Union Territory. The initiative, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Teacher’s Day in 2022, aims to upgrade and develop approximately 14,500 schools across the nation.
In Phase-I, the Ministry of Education has approved 233 schools in Jammu and Kashmir under the PM SHRI Schools scheme. For Phase-II, the Union Territory has recommended 265 schools for approval. To enhance the implementation process, 20 Master Trainers have undergone training in New Delhi, with one designated for each district.
Lt Governor Sinha emphasized the role of PM SHRI Schools in providing leadership to other schools by offering mentorship. The focus remains on improving learning outcomes, fostering critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity in all schools.
Alok Kumar, Principal Secretary of the School Education Department, presented guiding principles for school selection under the scheme. Lt Governor Sinha directed the preparation of a comprehensive five-year plan to reduce the distance of schools, with a specific focus on sanctioning new schools to minimize travel for children.
Furthermore, Lt Governor Sinha urged the inclusion of the life history and contributions of inspirational figures such as General Zorawar Singh, Brig Rajinder Singh, Maqbool Sherwani, and other prominent personalities in the school curriculum. He also emphasized the importance of vocational training, skill development programs in schools, and the inclusion of Indian Philosophy in all the Universities of the Union Territory.
Key officials including Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary RK Goyal, Financial Commissioner (Revenue) Shaleen Kabra, Principal Secretary to Lt Governor Dr Mandeep Bhandari, and other Administrative Secretaries were present at the meeting. The discussions highlighted the commitment to enhancing the quality of education and infrastructure in schools across Jammu and Kashmir.
