Sakeena Itoo Reviews Performance, Progress of Education Departments; Calls for Strict Monitoring, Timely Completion of Projects
Also reviews ongoing projects, stresses on accountability and field-level inspections
SRINAGAR: Minister for Education, Social Welfare, Health and Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo, today chaired a high-level meeting at the Civil Secretariat here to review the performance, functioning, and progress of ongoing projects under the School Education and Higher Education Departments across Jammu and Kashmir.
The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary, Higher Education Department, Shantmanu; Secretary, School Education, Ram Niwas Sharma; Director General, School Education Kashmir, Dr. G.N. Itoo; Project Director, Samagra Shiksha; Director, School Education Jammu; Mission Director, RUSA; and senior officers from both departments, besides Chief Engineers, Chief Education Officers, and other concerned officials.
During the meeting, the Minister undertook a comprehensive review of key developmental initiatives, infrastructure projects, and academic reforms underway in both departments.
While reviewing the Higher Education Department, the Minister assessed the status of projects being implemented under RUSA, PM-USHA, and CAPEX budget schemes. She stressed on timely execution of all works, particularly those related to infrastructure development, digital learning facilities, teacher training, and curriculum upgradation.
Sakeena Itoo directed the executing agencies to ensure completion of college construction projects within stipulated deadlines without compromising on quality. She emphasized stringent monitoring and regular field-level inspections to identify and remove bottlenecks in project implementation.
“Our government is committed to strengthening the educational ecosystem in J&K. Every project—whether in a remote village or an urban hub—must yield tangible results for students and teachers. Timeliness and accountability are non-negotiable,” she asserted.
The Minister instructed the Director Colleges to coordinate closely with Chief Engineers to ensure minor pending works are completed by the end of the month.
Taking stock of faculty positions in colleges, she asked officials to explore enhancing remuneration for academic arrangement teachers to attract qualified professionals until regular appointments are made. She also directed the creation of permanent posts in newly established degree colleges to improve educational outcomes.
Sakeena Itoo highlighted the importance of research-oriented learning, industry linkages, and innovation-driven curriculum reforms, urging colleges to promote student-led projects, entrepreneurship cells, and collaborations with reputed institutions to enhance employability and practical learning.
Reviewing the School Education Department, the Minister stressed the need for digital transformation, directing officials to expedite the installation of smart classrooms, ICT labs, and e-content access facilities, especially in rural and remote areas, to bridge the learning gap.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to inclusive and equitable education, she said special focus is being given to strengthening infrastructure in remote, border, and tribal areas to ensure every child in J&K has access to quality education.
The Minister instructed Chief Education Officers (CEOs) to utilize Samagra Shiksha funds efficiently, monitor projects regularly, and coordinate with executing agencies for their timely completion.
Addressing human resource management, Sakeena Itoo directed the appointment of district-level Nodal Officers to coordinate with the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) for timely vigilance clearances. She asked CEOs to submit monthly progress reports highlighting achievements and project status to their respective Heads of Departments. She also directed for early finalisation of proposals for de-freezing teacher posts to enable swift recruitment.
Emphasizing that students in government schools are as talented as those in private institutions, she urged officers to create awareness about JKSOS and NIOS admissions so that students in far-flung areas can complete their higher secondary education through alternative modes.
The Minister also called for greater coordination between the School and Higher Education Departments to ensure seamless academic progression and policy alignment from foundational to advanced levels of learning.
