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Physical Education in J&K

Sir,

Physical Education is a part of education without which it is incomplete. Physical education builds mind and body of students. Unless this subject is introduced in schools, no students can claim to have studied properly.

The Government of Jammu & Kashmir has so far neglected this aspect of Education, and if this situation continued like this, physical education will not groom in our schools.

Therefore, Government should introduce Physical Education from the primary classes in Schools.

Maharashtra and Punjab have already taken lead in this respect. Even Army Schools are ahead.

Like other subject teachers, Government should appoint Physical Education Teachers in the schools.

Though there are PETs in schools, they are asked to teacher other subjects. This clearly plays a spoil sport.

Moreover, we request the Government to appoint unemployed but trained Physical Education Teachers (PETs) in various schools. This will help in reducing unemployment level in the State.

Yours etc....
R K Puri
Degree College
Rajouri

Recruitment of Rehbar-e-Taleem

Sir,

There is no doubt that the recruitment of Rehbar-e-Taleem teachers in rural and far flung areas of the State of J&K is a good step taken by the Minister of Education Mr. Mohd Shafi Uri to make non-Functional schools to function. But by recruiting only 10+2 candidates under this scheme will add more problems and create impediments in the improvement of academic standard in Govt. institutions.

Mere making educational institutions functional by such type of people will not solve the purpose of providing quality education to rural students who have also to face competition with the urban students irrespective of their area.

Our Government should be as serious while recruiting teachers in Education department as it is in the recruitment of typists, clerks or Patwaris who have to face many tests such as written test, training, typing test, viva-voice etc. These people have only to deal with files and papers. But while recruiting teachers who are so-called "Nation Builders'' no such tests are taken. Teaching is not an easy job. A teacher has to deal with quite innocent human beings whose behaviour requires to be changed as per desired norms so as to make them useful citizens of the country. But it is only possible if right person for the job is recruited.

I think nothing can bring change in our educational set up unless and until the policy of recruitment of teachers is modified.

Now-a-days the main pressure of recruitment is to reduce un-employment in the State. But there are various other departments in which laymen can be recruited to reduce un-employment. But for God's sake Education sector should not be chosen for the same. In Education Deptt. only well qualified, trained persons having interest in this field be appointed as teachers that too, after specific personality tests.

Yours etc....
Tersaim Lal Gorka
H.No 93, Sector I
Roop Nagar, Jammu

Involve all in talks

Sir,

It appears that the Central Government is in a serious mood to resolve the vexed Kashmir problem. The announcement of unilateral ceasefire and thereafter extension of the same by another month, grant of permission to Hurriyat leaders to visit Pakistan, talks with leaders are some of the steps taken by the Government of India in this direction.

The moot question is what will be the ultimate solution of this problem? Some of the solutions which have been under discussions in various forums could be-

i. The line of actual control should be made the International border. Thus the PoK can be an integral part of Pakistan.

ii. The J&K including the PoK should be given an Independent status and elections held under the UNO.

iii. The third alternative can be that the existing problem should continue with some minor border adjustments and the ALC declared as International Border.

Basically whenever anybody refers to this dispute, he refers it as "Kashmir Dispute" and not J&K or "Jammu, Kashmir Ladakh" dispute. So people of Jammu and Ladakh or non-muslim minority of Kashmir Valley are not a party to the "Kashmir" Dispute but are interested in separate States with full integration with Indian union. The demand for separate States or Union territory status or a separate Homeland is not communal as has been mentioned by various leaders. This demand is a necessity in the changed scenario and is now gaining momentum day by day. So the Government of India should examine this demand in its entirety and consider it favourable. Otherwise and delay may complicate the matters subsequently.

It is, therefore, necessary that while holding the discussions with Hurriyat and other secessionist leaders with regard to solution of "Kashmir" problem, the Govt. of India should also hold discussion with representatives of Jammu, Ladakh, Kashmiri Pandits and other such groups. This type of discussion will definitely provide some solution to the Kashmir problem.

Yours etc...
B L Seru
Subash Nagar,
Jammu.