The Jammu and Kashmir government has proposed a plan to the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development for establishment of more higher education institutions in the state.
"The government has mooted a perspective plan to MHRD for approval under Rashtriya Ucchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) for establishment of more higher education institutions besides up-gradation of infrastructure in existing colleges in the state," Minister for Higher Education Mohammad Akbar Lone said in the Legislative Assembly last evening.
Speaking during a discussion on demand of grants for the department of higher education, the minister said the government has taken several steps to strengthen educational infrastructure in the state.
Efforts are afoot to spread the network of higher education in uncovered areas as well, he added.
Lone said the priority accorded to the higher education sector by the government is indicated by the fact that 62 percent colleges have been established during the last ten years and 43 percent in a short span of six years.
He also said that colleges were now functioning not only in the main cities, district headquarters and towns but also in the far flung areas like Marwah, Chatroo, Bani, Sarh Baga, Gurez and Tangdar.
The state government has taken adequate care to impart higher education to students of marginalised sections of society. The female enrolment which was only 267 in 1950-51 has increased to 97,000 in 2010-2011, he said.
