Work is in full swing in all 25 public schools selected for upgrading as smart schools under the ambitious project to transform government schools on modern lines in Srinagar.
Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary Wednesday visited several of these schools to inspect the progress of work being executed therein as part of the project.
In several of these 25 selected schools new pre-engineered buildings are being constructed with some of them being at the final stages of completion.
In other selected schools infrastructure and facilities are being upgraded in tune with modern requirements — covering all components from furniture to basic facilities like power and water to sports to IT-related infrastructure.
Speaking on the occasion the DC said the project is amongst the most important ones under execution in the district adding that it is high time public schools were upgraded and brought at par with the private schools both in terms of facilities and education available to their students.
He said the project also includes teacher training component which is one of a host of components thereof adding that it starts next month and will last for two months.
The DC expressed satisfaction with the pace of work underway in these selected schools lauding the efforts of the executing agencies for their achievements so far.
On the occasion Dr Shahid met with with parents of school children of these schools and sought their views and suggestions as far as the project is concerned.
The parents appreciated the district administration for this project and its pace but emphasised the importance of taking to to its logical conclusion. The DC assured the parents that the project is the closest to his heart and that it will be implemented in letter and spirit.
It is notable the project – being taken up under the Smart City project – to develop 25 public schools of the district involves equipping them with modern infrastructure and competitive learning structure.
It involves their transformation on modern lines refurbishing entire school buildings and equipping them with modern infrastructure and revamping their academic structure aimed at improving their learning outcomes.
The pilot schools were selected out of the total 52 government schools identified from across the district based on various parameters including that of land and building available with them and their student roll and staff strength.
A comprehensive modernisation plan based on real models as existing in public schools outside the State has been chalked out to ensure successful execution of this ambitious project.
These schools will be autonomous in their functioning aimed at facilitating achievement of goals of excellence.
Dr Shahid while speaking on the occasion said the larger aim of the project is to rebuild the public education system starting with these 25 pilot schools and then replicating the model across the district.
Joint Director Planning M Yaseen Lone and Chief Education Officer Srinagar among other officers accompanied the DC on the occasion.