Union Secretary, Department of School Education and Literacy (DSEL), Union Ministry of Education, Sanjay Kumar, today chaired meeting of Project Approval Board (PAB) constituted for plan approvals under Samagra Shiksha.

The Board recommended plan proposals worth Rs 1669 crore for the financial year 2023-24 for the zUnion Territory of Jammu and Kashmir under Samagra Shiksha.

The meeting, which was held online for plan approvals for the year 2023-24, was attended by Principal Secretary, School Education, Alok Kumar,  Joint Secretaries of DoSEL,  Srija (Economic Advisor) and Vipan Kumar (JS), Director Finance, Shobit and officers from J&K administration including Director SCERT, Prakshit Manhas, Project Director Samagra Shiksha, Deep Raj, Director School Education, Jammu, Ashok Sharma, Director School Education, Kashmir, Tassaduq Hussain, Special Secretary, Kanta Devi and Joint Director Planning, Parshotam Kumar besides other concerned stakeholders.

During the meeting, Secretary DoSEL, complimented the UT government for registering substantial increase in Gross Enrolment Ratio at Secondary and Senior Secondary level for the past 3 years.

While speaking on the occasion, Alok kumar said that J&K is witnessing tremendous improvement in every sphere of growth and development in recent years. He said that this yera's it is the largest ever budget recommended in the PAB meeting for various interventions since 2018-19. He further said that both the UT and the Center governments are initiating all efforts towards establishing a robust education system in J&K. The students of government schools are now capable of competing with students of private schools.

"Civil works, strengthening of infrastructure vocational education, digital Initiatives and Innovations captured the maximum share of the Budget besides good chunk has been recommended for the gender and equity", informed the Principal Secretary.

Alok Kumar informed that establishment of school education excellence hub shall be taken up this year with financial implication of Rs. 8.70 crore, which shall house the Vidya Samiksha Kendar along with Innovation Centre and Auditorium to be used for implementation of Samagra Shiksha Interventions, which shall act as Resource Centre and will be unique in nature. He said that more than 700 additional  class rooms and 450 toilets (Boys/Girls/CWSN) besides 1800 works on dilapidated buildings, library rooms, computer rooms and HM rooms shall be taken up in the year 2023-24. He further said that, 3 Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Avasiya Vidyalayas shall be constructed with financial implication of Rs. 10.50 crore. Also, 36680 meter boundary wall shall be constructed in schools for the safety and security of students and 52 Teacher Quarters for those working in far flung areas shall be taken up, he added.

Similarly, open gyms shall be established in 188 schools (one in each zone) besides the Security and Safety equipments, trainings for Teachers and Girls, establishment of Innovation Labs, ICT labs, Vocational Labs shall be the part of the innovation interventions.

He said that emphasis is being laid on saturation of schools with regard to availability of adequate infrastructure for the students. He stressed for enhancing learning outcomes, using technology to empower students and children.

Earlier, Project Director, Deep Raj, gave a detailed presentation on physical and financial progress achieved during last year besides highlighting proposals for this year