J-K govt to conduct safety audit of old schools buildings

The Jammu and Kashmir government today said that it would conduct safety audit of old school buildings in the state to phase these out in a time-bound manner.
State School Education Department, Secretary, Farooq Ahmad Shah, in a meeting here, directed chief education officers (CEOs) to carry out the audit and to also complete targets set by the Centre for various programmes under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA).
"The department would work out a mechanism to demolish old school buildings which are declared unsafe in the safety audit," Shah said, adding that the department has initiated the process to build new infrastructure and upgrade existing ones.

He also asked the officials to ensure safety of school- going children, focus on field visits and monitor infrastructure development works.
Emphasising on inclusive education, Shah asked the officials to make adequate arrangements to admit children with special needs in government schools.
The secretary asked CEOs to submit proposals to the Directorate of School Education to upgrade schools in the state and also organise village-level book melas to distribute textbooks provided by the Jammu and Kashmir State Board of School Education (JKBOSE).

He also emphasised on expediting the process of procurement of uniforms and asked zonal education officers to submit proposals for the same.

The secretary also issued directions to keep at least 10 schools open during the winter vacation so that student interested can attended remedial classes.
This facility however should be kept optional, he said.