Students deserve access to quality education, transcending socio-economic barriers : Sakeena Itoo

SRINAGAR : Minister for Education, Social Welfare and Health, Sakeena Itoo, today chaired a high level meeting at Civil Secretariat here to review the performance and functioning of School Education department (SED).
The meeting was attended by Secretary, SED, Ram Niwas Sharma; Director School Education Kashmir/Jammu, Special Secretary, SED, Project Director, Samagra Shiksha, Secretary JKBOSE, Director Finance SED, Director Planning, SED, Chief Education Officers of all districts and other concerned officers.
During the meeting, Sakeena took comprehensive assessment of key performance indicators in learning outcomes, infrastructure readiness, teacher performance, human resource management as well as implementation status of major educational schemes like Samagra Shiksha, PM-POSHAN (Mid Day Meal), New India Literacy Programme (NILP), PM-Shri and others.
Addressing the officers during the meeting, the Minister emphasized on the critical importance of accountability, transparency and outcome-oriented strategies in enhancing the quality of education across J&K. She underlined the need for bridging learning gaps and called for robust monitoring mechanisms to ensure timely delivery of educational resources and improved student outcomes in schools.
“We must prioritize the learning outcomes, teacher training, digital access and inclusive education. Every child, regardless of their socio-economic background or geographical location, deserves access to quality education”, Minister Sakeena stated.
While reviewing student enrolment trends across UT, especially among the girls and marginalized communities, the Minister called upon the officers to maintain enrolment in schools with proper implementation of schemes in vogue for that. She asked the officers to take immediate steps for maintaining enrolment in high and higher secondary schools. She also directed the officers for effective implementation of Beti Anmol scheme having wider role in maintaining girl enrolment number higher secondary schools.
During the meeting, the Minister also expressed displeasure over persistent problems in education sector, particularly in remote and under-served areas. She directed the officers to install electricity connections and solar panels in all left out schools within six months. She also asked the to establish toilets and other basic facilities in all left out schools within four months.
The Minister issued a clarion call for a culture of responsibility, urging all the educators and administrative personnel to treat their roles with seriousness they deserve. “We cannot allow complacency to derail education of our children. Teachers are not just government employees, they are the torchbearers of our future and their accountability must be fixed for non-performance”, she stated.
While reviewing other aspects of the department, the Minister issued strict directions regarding rationalisation of teachers in schools having ample staff presence. She further directed that all Principals should take classes in their respective schools, apart from looking after routine management of schools only.
The Minister also directed that no transfers should happen at the zonal or district levels and respective Directors should be consulted before any transfers. She also asked both the directors to look after the issue of shifting of attendance of teachers from one school to another without any reason and fix responsibility for those doing it without informing their respective Directors.
While reviewing the status of ongoing projects and other infrastructure, the Minister asked the officers to maintain regular coordination with the executing agencies for timely completion of the projects. She asked them to monitor the works on regular basis for timely completion owing to limited working season in Kashmir and some parts of Jammu division.
The Minister further said that the government remains committed towards transforming the education ecosystem across J&K. “Reforms in education are not just about policy but about ensuring our children are equipped to thrive in a fast-changing world,” she stated.
During the meeting, Secretary, SED gave a detailed presentation on different aspects of School Education department.