Minister for Education, Sakina Itoo Wednesday said the admissions to various undergraduate courses in Government Degree Colleges (GDCs) of Higher Education Department (HED) have increased by 12 per cent this year compared to the previous academic session.
She was speaking during a functioning organised in SKICC to distribute the appointment orders among the 113 newly recruited lecturers in the School Education Department (SED).
Sakina Itoo attributed the rise in the college admissions to the sustained efforts of the government to strengthen the education sector.
The minister said the education sector requires collective efforts and continuous reforms to meet the aspirations of students across Jammu and Kashmir. “I am happy that admissions in higher education have increased by 12 per cent over last year. But education is a sector where a lot still needs to be done. That will only be possible when all of us work together, come together and contribute our suggestions and ideas so that we can move forward,” she said. The education minister said the government remains open to constructive suggestions from teachers, academicians and other stakeholders to further improve the education system. The statement comes weeks after this newspaper reported about the UG admission process in the GDCs across Jammu and Kashmir and highlighted that the newly established colleges have failed to attract students for the admissions.
As per the official figures assessed by the Greater Kashmir, 100 out of 142 degree colleges have registered less than 100 admissions each after two rounds of admissions. According to the official figures produced during a high level review meeting of Higher Education Department (HED) chaired by minister for education Sakina Itoo few weeks ago, the admission trends had thrown up a major challenge for the government.
In wake of the challenging situation, the government decided to constitute a committee to seek feedback and suggestions for improving admissions in the newly established colleges.
Meanwhile, minister for education while speaking about the recruitment drive said around 600 lecturer posts were referred to the JK Public Service Commission (PSC) of which 113 lecturers were handed appointment orders. “The candidates whose appointments are pending due to CID verification would receive their orders in coming days,” she added. She however described the appointment letters as more than a government document saying that these documents are fulfilment of dreams for both the selected candidates and students who were affected due to the dearth of lecturers in the higher secondary schools. She further urged the newly appointed lecturers to serve with dedication irrespective of their place of posting and ensure that every child, whether in remote or urban areas, receives quality education.
“The government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, has accorded priority to the education and health sectors over the past 18-19 months and worked to address long-pending issues in both the departments as well,” she said. She also praised teachers for their role in nation-building, saying the teachers shape the future of society by nurturing students who go on to become doctors, engineers, scientists and other professionals. She congratulated the newly appointed lecturers and their families and expressed hope that their induction into the School Education Department (SED) would help improve the quality of education and benefit students across Jammu and Kashmir.
