Govt has 'effective plan' for J&K education sector: Javadekar

Union Minister Prakash Javadekar today said the HRD ministry has made an "effective plan" to boost the education sector in Jammu and Kashmir.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Jammu & Kashmir student exchange programme - 'Maitreyi Yatra' - he said his ministry was monitoring progress in education sector in the state every month.
He said he will visit J&K for a review soon.
Under the 'Maitreyi Yatra' programme, nearly 500 Class 9 -12 students from J&K came to Delhi on January 18 for a 10-day stay, during which they visited the Delhi University, the IIT and the Railway Museum among other places.

They also enjoyed a metro ride and witnessed the grand celebrations of the Republic Day.
Javadekar said Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and the state needs to be given all facilities.

"I have observed that in the state, there is dedication towards education particularly for girls' education...Many Kendriya Vidyalayas and Navodaya Vidyalayas were opened in the state," the Union minister said.
He said a good education system can change the country.
"In view of this, we have made an effective plan of education. We are monitoring progress in the education sector every month.
"In the coming days, I will also visit Jammu & Kashmir to review the progress. I will also take 500 students from Delhi to the state under student exchange programme," Javedkar said.

He said the objective of 'Maitreyi Yatra' was to integrate the youth of Jammu and Kashmir to the rest of the country and to promote brotherhood and harmony.
He congratulated the students of National Bal Bhawan who vacated their rooms to accommodate Kashmiri students and stayed in their classrooms proving the real spirit of "Atithi Devo Bhava" (The guest is equivalent to God).
MoS HRD Satya Pal Singh, who was also present, applauded the J&K students for they were able to spread the message of love, peace & harmony which even the government efforts might not have done.
J&K Education Minister Mohammad Altaf Bukhari expressed his gratitude for conducting the exchange programme, saying it will strengthen the social fabric of the country.