Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 7: Reaffirming commitment of Government to give fillip to education in the State, Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand, today said exemplary initiatives have been taken up in the recent past to ensure better education in the State.
He said futuristic education policy, right to education, promotions at different levels, ReT pattern recruitment for backward areas besides filling up of vacant posts are among those steps which have been initiated to further the cause of education in the State.
“After taking charge of the department I took decision to fast track the process of filling up of large number of vacant positions by promotions and recruitment besides ensuring that the State gets its own education policy,” he added.
Tara Chand was addressing a mammoth gathering of students, teachers, educationists, parents and public representatives gathered at the daylong education conference held at Khour today.
Director, School Education Jammu T.K. Sharma, Director, SSA S.C. Sawhney, Director RMSA S.A. Leharwal, SDM, Akhnoor, CEO, ZEOs, and other senior officers from police, revenue, civil administration and education department attended the conference.
Advocating provisions to provide free education to children, Deputy Chief Minister said work on draft for Right to Education is near completion which will enable every child in the age of four to fourteen years to have a right to free and compulsory education till completion of elementary education. He said the act is in final stages of framing and encompasses provisions contained in Right to Education Act 2009 besides taking into account state specific recommendations as suggested by state level consultation forums.
Tara Chand said over 20,000 promotions at different levels have been made in the department and over 6000 education volunteers have been regularized in the State during the present Government.
“The Government has taken special steps for addressing education needs of backward areas while general line teacher posts will also be filled on the ReT pattern so as to meet dual purpose of providing jobs to educated youth as well as ensuring teachers in the schools,” he maintained.
He said progress of the department has been recognized at national level and the State Education Department has been honored by the President of India.
The Deputy Chief Minister said State Education Advisory Board comprising eminent educationists of the State has been framed for formulating education policy keeping in view the unique requirements and topographical constraints of the State.
Stressing on improving transparency and utilizing IT tools for a responsive administration, Tara Chand said various reforms like online facility for building permission, birth death registration and e-tendering were initiated by the Urban Development Department during his tenure. He assured that similar IT tools would be utilized to bring transparency and responsiveness in the education department also.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
