JAMMU: The Legislative Assembly today passed the education grants amounting to the sum of Rs 3238.66 crore by a voice vote.
Earlier, the Deputy Chief Minister moved that a sum of Rs. 3238.66 crore be granted to the Government to defray the charges which will come in the course of payment during the year ending March 31, 2014.
Describing Education as the most important lever for social, economic and political transformation, Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Tara Chand said a well-educated and skilled population not only drives economic and social development but also ensures personal growth. He said the importance of education as the foundation and building block for achieving national objectives and for building a more inclusive, equitable and sustainable society is well recognized.
Mr. Tara Chand who also holds the charge of School Education Department was replying to discussion on grants in the Legislative Assembly today.
Deputy Chief Minister said during the decade 2001-2011, literacy rate increased from 55.50% to 68.74% in the State adding that gap between the rural and urban literacy rate has also reduced considerably. The female literacy has also gone up from 43.0% in 2001 to 58.01% in 2011, which is an increase of 15 % and is above national average, he said.
Underscoring the land mark initiatives taken in the Department soon after taking charge, Mr. Tara Chand said the State has no specific education policy and direction have been given to constitute a committee comprising of prominent educationists representing all the regions/sections for giving recommendations for framing a suitable education policy.
He said immediate instructions were issued for detachment of teaching and non-teaching staff with the exception of employees suffering from dreaded diseases such as cancer. This has significantly ensured availability of teaching staff in the areas having deficit in teaching staff, he added.
He said in order to cover schooling facility gaps in un-served habitations the job of school mapping has been entrusted to Remote Sensing Technology Department and to give impetus to vocational education a pilot project in 50 Higher Secondary Schools in 1st Phase would be launched.
Mr. Tara Chand said approx 20, 000 vacancies have been identified and instructions been issued for filling up of vacancies on fast track basis. Consequent upon to which 4451 posts of teachers, 581 posts of lecturers have been referred to Service Selection Board and Public Service Commission, he maintained.
He said 309 primary schools are proposed to be opened and 138 Primary Schools proposed to be up-graded to the level of Middle Schools in 2013-14.
Underlining the importance of putting in place rational fee structure in private education institutes operating in the state, the Deputy Chief Minister said the matter has been taken up with Department of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs to constitute a committee headed by a High Court Judge (Retired) in pursuance of the Supreme Court judgment.
He said the number of private schools has increased considerably over the years and the Government is keen to see that these institutions contribute significantly towards social and educational development of the state. The SRO-123 of 2010 dealing among other things with the private schools is being reviewed together with the relevant provisions of J&K School Education Act 2002, he added.
While highlighting the achievements of the Department, he stated that 39564 Rehbar-e-Taleem (RET) have been appointed under SSA, 6919 RET have been appointed as 3rd teacher, 7695 Rehbar-e-Taleem have been appointed under State Scheme, 6651 teachers have been promoted as Masters under SSA, 2529 headmasters have been regularized and 2041 Lecturers have been regularized.
He said 27 Principals & equivalent have been promoted as I/C CEOs, 82 Headmasters & equivalent have been promoted as I/C ZEOs, 406 teachers/Masters promoted as I/C Lecturers, 69 Lecturers have been appointed/selected by PSC, 06 I/C CEOs & equivalent promoted as Joint Directors and 4710 posts of various categories have been created for newly 526 upgraded Schools.
The Deputy Chief Minister said 581 posts of Lecturers have been referred to PSC, 4451 posts of teachers have been referred to SSB and the honorarium of ReTs has been enhanced from Rs 1500/- and Rs 2000/- to single tier of Rs 3000/- per month and the number of out-of-school children has reduced to Rs 0.60 lacs (from 3.76 lakhs in 2001), he added.
Earlier, the Deputy Chief Minister moved that a sum of Rs. 3238.66 crore be granted to the Government to defray the charges which will come in the course of payment during the year ending March 31, 2014.
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