Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 24: Underlining commitment of the Government to give fillip to education in the State, Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand said the sector is getting focused attention of the Government and exemplary initiatives have been taken in the recent past to ensure better education in the State.
Right to Education, futuristic education policy, transfer policy, promotions at different level, ReT pattern recruitment for backward areas besides filling vacant posts are some of the steps undertaken to further the cause of education in the State, he exhorted.
“Fast tracking promotion to address immediate need of staff was ensured and within a short span over 22 thousand promotions at different levels have been made and vacant posts for direct recruitment have already been referred to recruitment board and PSC,” he added.
Tara Chand was addressing a day long education conference at Khour, today.
Prominent educationists, students, teachers, parents and public representatives gathered together at the conference. During the conference detailed deliberations were done on the needs and challenges of the education sector in the State.
Director, School Education Jammu T.K. Sharma, Special Secretary, School Education R.A. Inqalabi, CEO, ZEOs, Principals, Headmasters, Lecturers and other senior officers from administration attended the conference.
Highlighting provisions being made to provide free education to children of the State, Deputy Chief Minister said work on the draft for Right to Education has been referred to Cabinet Sub-Committee and soon every child in the age of four to fourteen years will have a right to free and compulsory education till completion of elementary education.
He said State Education Advisory Board comprising of eminent educationists of the State has been framed for the purpose of 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, he said IT tools should be utilized to bring transparency and responsiveness in the Education Department.
He directed for clearance of pendency with regard to regularization, promotions and other administrative activities, so as to ensure time bound disposal of cases in the department, adding that in order to ensure adequate staff in schools provision for academic arrangements would be made.
Tara Chand said very soon a comprehensive transfer policy would be put in place for rationalizing transfers in the department. He said four zones would be created as per the topography of the area and all those who get promoted would have to compulsorily serve for one year in the tough zone.
Those suffering from life consuming diseases and over 55 years of age would be suitably adjusted as per the policy and female staff would get postings in those schools which have proper road connectivity, he added.
While interacting with members of ReT forum, the Deputy Chief Minister assured that the demand for five year service benefit to ReTs would be taken up at the appropriate level.
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