Minister rues lack of facilities for school children
Srinagar: The minister for education Syed Muhammad Altaf Bukhari on Wednesday said the lack of facilities in government was marring the talent in the government school children.
The minister was addressing the students on the inaugural ceremony of 2-day mega science exhibition organized by directorate of school education Kashmir in collaboration with State Institute of Education (SIE) Srinagar at Kothi Bagh higher secondary school.
“There is no dearth of talent in government school children but we as government are not in position to provide them feasible atmosphere to exhibit their talent and innovation,” Bukhari said.
After interacting with the government school children the minister said the situation in government schools was not worst as painted in our society.
“But there is a need for improvement in terms of providing facilities to the students in their institutions,” the education minister said.
He said the students need proper guidance and requisite facilities in their respective schools to hone their talent.
Around 2100 students from both government and private schools presented 40 models during the exhibition.
Kashmir University (KU) had put eight stalls with 25 innovation models on display and one each stall was displayed by SKUST and wildlife department as well.
Among others present at the occasion were deputy commissioner Srinagar Syed Abid Rashid Shah, Chairman JKBOSE Veena Pandita, Joint Director science and technology Mushtaq Ahmad, Director Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) Abdul Rashid War, principal SIE Srinagar Mehboob Hussain.
“I didn’t expect my children would exhibit their talent in such a wonderful way. I believe that our young generation is prepared to face the current challenges,” Altaf Bukhari said.
The education minister applauded the teachers, employees of district institute of education and trainings (DIETs) and SIE for honing talent among the students.
“Credit goes to teachers who gave in their efforts to inculcate talent among these students,” he said.
Bukhari said a wrong perception has been made that DIETs are places for retirement but all the institutes have showed their existence by preparing students for their participation in the science exhibition.
“DIETs and SIE are not retirement places but the staff in DIETs and SIE need to give exposure to what they are doing so that people will come to know about it,” he said.
Earlier speaking at the occasion minister of state for education Priya Sethi congratulated the students for putting in efforts to bring new innovations to fore.
“The science models showcased by the students has proved that our students are aware of the present environmental situation and have solution with them as well,” she said.
Sethi maintained the students should work on their innovative ideas maintaining and government was at fore front to support them to change their ideas into a reality.
“These students are aware about all merits and demerits of present situation all facets of present situation,” she said.
Secretary school education Farooq Ahmad Shah in his welcome address stated that government is committed to make J&K state as centre of excellence in education. “We will provide all facilities, faculty to students in schools,” Shah said.
Director school education G N Itoo said the department is at fore front to groom the students for making such innovative models.
“These science shows shall also help to inculcate scientific temper in our school children,” he said.
Earlier as the occasion state coordinator herbal garden project Manzoor Javid gave a demonstration of various herbal plants while as SIE Srinagar screened some curriculum based short educational movies as well.
KV Correspondent
