Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha presided over a meeting to assess the progress of the PM SHRI Schools (PM Schools for Rising India) scheme in the Union Territory.
The initiative, announced by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on Teacher’s Day 2022, aims at the upgradation and development of approximately 14,500 schools nationwide. In Phase-I, the Ministry of Education approved 233 schools from J&K for PM SHRI Schools, and in the second phase, the J&K UT has recommended 265 schools for approval. A total of 20 Master Trainers, one for each district, have been trained in New Delhi.
Highlighting the significance of PM SHRI Schools, the Lt Governor emphasized that these institutions would play a leadership role in their respective areas, offering mentorship to other schools. The primary focus will be on enhancing learning outcomes for every child across all grades, while promoting critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity.
Sh Alok Kumar, Principal Secretary of the School Education Department, provided a comprehensive presentation on the guiding principles for selecting schools under the scheme.
Furthermore, Lt Governor Sinha instructed the formulation of a comprehensive five-year plan to minimize the distance children have to travel to reach schools. Emphasizing the need for new schools, he stressed that the sanctioning process should prioritize reducing the travel distance for students.
In a move to enrich the curriculum, the Lt Governor directed the inclusion of the life histories and contributions of inspirational figures like General Zorawar Singh, Brig Rajinder Singh, Maqbool Sherwani, and other prominent personalities.
Additionally, the Lt Governor urged the School Education Department to ensure the integration of vocational training and skill development programs in schools.
He also called for the inclusion of Indian Philosophy in the curricula of all universities within the Union Territory.
