4000 SCHOOLS SHALL BE STRENGTHENED UNDER SAMAGRA SHIKSHA TO PROMOTE ECCE – MAGOTRA

*_Samagra Shiksha’s mission is to uplift the educational landscape in Jammu and Kas

Today, Project Director Samagra Shiksha, *Rakesh Magotra undertook a whirlwind tour of various schools of Jammu City*. The visit aimed at assessing the progress of educational initiatives and promoting the integration of innovative labs in government schools. The Director was accompanied by *Deputy Director Planning Bilal Rashid, Chief Education Officer Jammu Jagdeep Padha and Coordinator Quality Ajeet Sharma*. Project Director firstly visited the High School Bathindi-a PM SHRI School, where ongoing Construction work amounting to *Rs. 56.00 Lacs* was inspected. The *Headmistress Mrs. Wahida Tabassum, HS Bathidni informed that*, 03 Rooms along with CWSN Washroom are at the final stage of completion. Reacting to the same, *PD Samagra Shiksha asked the executing agency engineers of PWD, to expedite the work and complete the finishing within 20 days*, so that the same can be dedicated to the students. He also asked them to start the construction of one Library Room in the complex, for which authorization has already been given. He appreciated the Team work in PM SHRI School and said that it should become exemplar/leader school for neighbourhood Schools. DD Planning informed that, in Jammu District, *around 280 (Major/Minor works) are in progress and shall be completed in span of 6-9 months*. He informed that, the upgradation of Civil infrastructure under Access and retention component is the priority intervention of Samagra Shiksha.

PD Samagra visited GHS Gandhinagar, Jammu, where Astro Physics Lab stands established under Samagra Shiksha, to boost the scientific temper among the students. It was informed that, *376 Astro Physics /AAGHAZ Labs stand established across the UT*, which are being visited by the students of nearby schools as well. The Project Director interacted with students and teachers and said that, under the leadership & guidance of *Dr. Piyush Singla, Administrative Secretary, SED, proper resource utilization is being emphasized across the UT.* He said, it is the mantra of Administrative Secretary, to make all Schools exemplar and competitive, so that the students may feel the same environment, as felt by the Students of leading states/UTs. Samagra Shiksha’s mission is to uplift the educational landscape in Jammu and Kashmir, he maintained. He said that, institutions are being encouraged to become a hub for other schools in the zone, fostering exposure to new technologies and boosting scientific curiosity.

Expressing enthusiasm about the initiative, *the Project Director stated that*, the training sessions are a crucial aspect of the initiative and will empower teachers to guide students in exploring astronomy and space-related topics.” He highlighted that the labs are equipped with state-of-the-art instruments, providing hands-on experiences in astrophysics for government school students from 5th to 12th classes. 

Continuing the tour, PD also visited Girls Higher Sec. School Bakshi Nagar, where a Virtual Reality Lab* has been established. Project Director took a demonstration of the VR Lab and interacted with students. Aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, *Virtual Reality Labs have been set up in 10 districts*. He encouraged teachers to acquaint themselves with the new technology, promoting experiential learning in line with NEP 2020. 

Later, he also visited to Shri Ranbir Higher Secondary School, and got Pre-Primary students under ECCE.

He said that, nurturing of the Pre-Primary students at appropriate level shall definitely lead to real development of Nation and experiential learning aligned with NEP 2020, has major focus on imparting Skill education to Children.

Samagra Shiksha is underlining the commitment to promote quality education and innovation across the UT, he said. The visit also included an inspection of the educational facilities and discussions on ways to enhance the learning environment.

Magotra reiterated the importance of schools becoming catalysts* for educational advancement and encouraged collaboration between institutions to create a supportive network for students.