Private schools in Anantnag directed to follow government orders on fee structures and curriculum

Srinagar, Dec 13 (JKNS): The administration of district Anantnag has issued a strong reminder to all government-recognized private schools in the district to comply with government orders and circulars related to fee structures, curriculum, and other regulatory guidelines.

According to a circular issued, a copy of which was accessed by the news agency JKNS, reports indicate that certain private schools have failed to follow these directives and are implementing their own policies instead.

It reads as follows: the following key instructions have been reiterated for strict compliance: No Additional Fees: Private schools are strictly prohibited from charging any additional fees, including admission fees or donations. According to the Right to Education Act of 2009, any fees collected must be refunded to parents/guardians.

No Selling of Books on Premises: Schools are barred from selling books or other study materials through their tuck shops.

Adopt Common Curriculum: All private schools must adhere to the common curriculum as per the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

Ban on Winter Coaching Classes: Private schools must avoid conducting winter coaching classes on their premises. Non-compliance will lead to strict actions.

Notably, the administration of Anantnag has emphasized that these rules must be followed. Any violation will result in action, including the potential cancellation of recognition or affiliation without prior notice. —(JKNS)

With upcoming rail connectivity to Kashmir, CM highlights potential of J&K’s flowers in global markets

Functioning of Floriculture, Parks & Gardens Department reviewed

Jammu, Dec 12 (GNS): Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today chaired a meeting of the Department of Floriculture, Parks, and Gardens at the Civil Secretariat to review its functioning and discuss strategies to enhance the sector’s potential.

Addressing the meeting, the Chief Minister highlighted the immense opportunities in the floriculture sector, especially with Kashmir Valley soon to be connected with the rest of the country through railways.

He emphasized the need to leverage this connectivity to market Kashmir’s flowers across India and globally.

“We must engage progressive growers and other stakeholders to fully realize the sector’s potential,” the Chief Minister said.

He further directed the department to plant tulips along the Airport Road to enhance the aesthetic appeal and launch ad campaigns to attract more tourists to Srinagar’s iconic Tulip Garden.

Earlier, Commissioner Secretary Sheikh Fayaz Ahmad gave a detailed presentation on the department’s functioning, highlighting achievements and ongoing projects.

Key milestones and initiatives discussed included, Tulip Show 2024 in which a record 1.7 million tulips of 72 varieties were planted, attracting 4.46 lakh tourists in March 2024.

The meeting also discussed significant developments in the floriculture sector, including the establishment of ornamental cherry tree gardens (Sakura) and the creation of a Tulip Garden in Sanasar.

The establishment of peony and rose gardens at Pahalgam was also highlighted, alongside progress in the process of enlisting six historic Mughal Gardens as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Discussions further focused on various ongoing and upcoming projects aimed at the modernization and enhancement of the region’s parks and gardens.

These included the upgradation of Bagh-e-Bahu Garden and the establishment of Bour Camp Garden in Jammu.

Other projects discussed were the development of chrysanthemum plantations at Udhampur, the upgradation of Badamwari, and the establishment of the Dara Shikoh Garden.

The creation of theme gardens at Gulmarg, the development of floriculture nurseries, and the establishment of a model flower center in Jammu were also deliberated.

Additionally, plans for an amphitheater and beautification projects at Bagh-e-Bahu were reviewed.

The Chief Minister emphasized the importance of modernizing and mechanizing garden maintenance to enhance efficiency while optimizing resources and generating revenue. He urged the department to prioritize initiatives that boost the tourism potential of Jammu and Kashmir while preserving the region’s rich natural heritage.

The Chief Minister emphasized the need for modernization and mechanization of garden maintenance, resource optimization, and revenue generation.

He urged the department to focus on projects that enhance the tourism potential of Jammu and Kashmir while preserving its natural heritage.
The meeting was attended by Advisor to the CM Nasir Aslam Wani, ACS to CM Dheeraj Gupta, Commissioner Secretary Floriculture, Parks & Gardens, Sheikh Fayaz Ahmad, Directors of Floriculture Kashmir/Jammu and other concerned.(GNS)

RRF, DSEJ, JKST&IC and UNICEF organize Consultation on Strengthening Career Guidance Ecosystem in J&K

Jammu: In order to deliberate upon the strategy and roadmap for strengthening the career guidance ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir, the Reform and Rehabilitation Foundation, organized 22 Consultations on Career Guidance across J&K including a day-long Divisional Level Consultation in Jammu on 10th December 2024.

The event was held in collaboration with UNICEF India, Directorate of School Education Jammu, GIF, NIT Srinagar, JKST&IC,DST supported by Divisional Administration Jammu.

The program was conducted under Global Youth Outreach and Employability Program which is a flagship program of Reform and Rehabilitation Foundation. GYOEP empowers the youth of J&K through comprehensive support in 5 key areas-Education, Employment, Entrepreneurship, Ecosystem/Environment and Rehabilitation.

Experts and speakers at the consultation explored how existing career guidance tools can be scaled to reach more students, identified available resources, and brainstormed innovative ideas to enhance career development in the region.

The RRF have organized the Divisional and District Level Consultations on the same theme across 20 Districts of J&K. More than 400 officials of the Department of School Education were being consulted for their inputs and feedback in order to make career guidance accessible to each and every student of J&K. They were also being sensitized regarding various career guidance and counselling tools.

Saurabh Bhagat, IAS ,Commissioner Secretary, Department of Science & Technology, who was the Chief Guest for the occasion, emphasized the need for seamless interconnection between various departments that a child navigates from schooling to recruitment. He underscored the importance of strengthening the education ecosystem, ‘By fostering a robust and interconnected framework, we can empower our youth to carve out sustainable careers and ensure they have the means to earn a decent living.’

Danish Aziz, Education Specialist, UNICEF India, underscored the developments made so far in the career guidance ecosystem and emphasized the importance of an integrated approach in education, as envisioned by NEP-2020.

Sheikh Inayat Ullah, CEO, Reform & Rehabilitation Foundation, discussed the Govt. initiatives and free counselling tools developed by the Ministry of Education, Govt. of India supported by UNICEF. He also highlighted the skill-intensive nature of the economy, stating, “Equipping students with relevant skills through career guidance is crucial for their success in today’s competitive world.”

Dr. Nasir Shah, Additional Director JKST&IC, DST J&K who was the Guest of Honour on the occasion, highlighted the importance of updating the syllabus and curriculum design to meet the growing demands of industry 4.0 emphasizing the need for visually appealing and engaging content to foster a spark and deeper interest in learning among students.

Dr. Subah Mehta, Joint Director, School Education Jammu emphasized the critical importance of career guidance in shaping the future of students. She highlighted the need to address the specific requirements at government institutions to ensure equitable opportunities for all. ‘Career guidance plays a pivotal role in helping students make informed career choices, empowering them to explore their potential and pursue meaningful paths,’ she stated.

Prof. Sidhu Kapoor, Joint Director, JKSCERT highlighted the significance of addressing vocational needs through comprehensive vocational education. She emphasized the importance of engaging students at a young age, stating, ‘By introducing vocational education early, we can nurture their skills, interests, and talents, equipping them for a brighter and more self-reliant future.’

Dr. Bilal, Deputy Director, Samaghra Shiksha commended the proactive efforts of the Reform and Rehabilitation Foundation, highlighting their dedication to meaningful initiatives. He also offered full support of his department in future activities.

Reform and Rehabilitation foundation (RRF) is an organization that transforms the lives of the youth in the country with special focus on J&K. It recognizes the unique challenges faced by young individuals and bridges gaps between their ambition and opportunities through targeted career guidance, skill development, mentorship, and rehabilitation programs, creating pathways for sustainable development which aligns with the Viksit Bharat 2047, National Education Policy 2020 and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

RRF believes that with the right support and guidance, the youth can achieve their full potential and contribute to the socio-economic growth of the society at large.

RRF has been organizing several other career events that include online mentorship for STEM based scholarship for students, career guidance programs, awareness camps etc. Such events aim to guide and assist the students in their career development.

The consultation included interactive brainstorming sessions and was attended by Chief Education Officers, District Education Planning Officers, and District Cultural Coordinators from all districts of the Jammu Division.

This initiative aims to build a robust career guidance ecosystem in Jammu, empowering students to make informed decisions and equipping them with the skills needed to thrive in a competitive economy.

The Reform and Rehabilitation extended the heartfelt thanks to Chief Guest, panelists, participants, especially to Divisional Administration Jammu and all the stakeholders who contributed to the success of this event.