Srinagar, February 20 (Scoop News) – J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said,“Let the Political parties having different approaches with regard to political future of Kashmir realize the hard facts that education of our children cannot be allowed to be sacrificed in sequel to their conflicting approaches and entire society cannot be rendered illiterate. Therefore it is essential to de-link education from politics and keep it conflict neutral.”
Omar Abdullah was addressing a gathering of teacher fraternity which had assembled at Bemina on the occasion of foundation stone laying function of Aiwaan-e- Samayeen and Moulim Ghar.
The Chief Minister, while appreciating education department and teachers for preparing students of government schools to secure various top positions in recent exams, advised the teachers to work with more zeal, devotion and enthusiasm to shape the future of our new generation and enable them to secure distinct positions in the society by becoming IAS, KAS officers, engineers, doctors, IT experts and scientists. He advised to the teachers not to allow political influence to prevail in the academic system at the cost of the future and academic carrier of our students.
He further advised them to realize the game plan of such elements who sent their children outside the State or even outside country for seeking quality education but work actively to collapse the education career of innocent children of the Valley. He said the recent KAS results are clear proof of the fact that turmoil affected education preparedness of our children while facing the competitive examination.
The Chief Minister made it clear that the Government does not want any confrontation with the employees. He said that our State is among first few States which has given benefit of 6th Pay Commission to lakhs of its employees. He said that as far as payment of arrear is concerned a roadmap has already been prepared for payment of arrears in a phased manner.
The Minister for Education Peerzada Mohammad Sayed, Advisors to Chief Minister Mubarak Gul, Mr Divender Rana, Minister of State for Tourism Nasir Aslam Wani, MLA Batamallo, Irfan Shah, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Asgar Samoon, Commissioner Secretary Education Mrs. Naseema Lankar, Director Education Kashmir Mrs. Shagufta Parveen, Managing Director Housing Board Thusoo, Director Information Kh. Farooq Renzushah and other senior officers were present on the occasion.
Earlier, the Education Minister, Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed while highlighting the achievements of Education Department said that expansion of educational infrastructure in Kashmir Division is highest priority of the department. He said against Rs 179 crore funds earmarked in 2006-07,the funding has been enhanced to Rs 778 crore for current year for the consolidation of infrastructure.
Similarly, funds fixed for construction of education buildings have been increased to Rs 312 crore for current year. He said that establishment of Aiwaan-e-Samayeen and Moulim Ghar was a long pending demand of the teachers as it will ensure regular training of the teachers.
The Director Education Kashmir, Shagufta Parveen and EJAC, President, Abdul Qayoom Wani in their welcome addresses appreciated the concern of the Chief Minister towards enriching the educational infrastructure in the State.