Sakeena Itoo Calls for Transparent, Effective Use of Public Funds in Education Sector
JAMMU: Minister for Education, Sakeena Itoo, on Monday chaired a comprehensive review meeting at the Civil Secretariat to assess the performance and functioning of the School Education Department across the Jammu division.
The meeting was attended by Secretary, School Education Department, Ram Niwas Sharma; Project Director, Samagra Shiksha, Bhawani Rakwal; Director, School Education Jammu, Naseem Javid Chowdhary; Chief Education Officers from all districts; and other senior officers of the department.
During the review, the Minister took stock of progress under various centrally sponsored schemes, infrastructure development projects, academic reforms, and digital learning initiatives aimed at enhancing the quality of education in government schools.
Emphasizing the transparent and judicious utilisation of public funds, Itoo underscored that every rupee allocated to the education sector must yield measurable outcomes. She directed officers to ensure timely completion of ongoing projects, particularly those concerning school infrastructure, ICT labs, teacher training, and learning enhancement programmes.
She also instructed officials to identify and resolve bottlenecks promptly while submitting regular progress reports to the department. Calling for robust monitoring mechanisms and periodic audits, the Minister said these steps are crucial to prevent fund lapses and ensure benefits reach the grassroots level.
Itoo further urged officers to strengthen community involvement through School Management Committees and reinforce accountability across all administrative levels. She highlighted the government’s commitment to inclusive and equitable education, stressing the need to bridge learning gaps, enhance teaching quality, and improve student outcomes, especially in rural and remote regions.
Reaffirming the government’s dedication to transforming the education system, the Minister assured continued support for initiatives aimed at empowering teachers, modernizing classrooms, and creating a vibrant learning environment.
“Education is the foundation of a progressive society. Transparent use of funds and effective monitoring of schemes are key to making our schools true centres of excellence,” Itoo remarked.
While reviewing other departmental aspects, the Minister issued strict directions to Chief Education Officers (CEOs), instructing that schoolchildren must not be sent to government functions—particularly during peak academic or examination periods—without prior approval from the concerned Director.
She also directed CEOs to conduct district-level reviews from the Assembly Constituency level, ensuring timely and accurate data compilation for legislators. Additionally, she advised them to take MLAs on board when initiating new developmental projects in their respective districts.
