J-K to soon have Right to Education Act: Dy CM

Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand today said that Jammu and Kashmir will soon have its own Right to Education Act.
Every child in the age of 4-14 years will have a right to free and compulsory education till completion of elementary education, Chand said.
The Act is in the final stages of framing and encompasses provisions contained in Right to Education Act, 2009, besides taking into account state-specific recommendations as suggested by state-level consultation forums, Chand said.
"The education department is vigorously pursuing implementation of the Right to Education Act in the state. The legislation is almost ready and the Act would ensure compulsory admission, attendance and completion of elementary education besides ensuring good quality education to all," he said.

The Deputy Chief Minister chaired a high-level meeting of the education department to review the pace and progress of various projects being implemented in the state.
Highlighting the role of training in the department, Chand said experts should be called from outside state and trainers should be trained at national level training centres.

Training for teachers both at the time of recruitment as well as during various stages of service is very important, he said.
"At least 25-30 teachers from each division should be sent to institutions of national repute so that these trainers can then impart training to other teachers in the state," he said.

Chand said in order to fine tune the department according to modern day education requirements, work on drafting a new education policy is underway.
The State Education Advisory Board for the purpose of formulating education policy and administration has already been set up, he said.
Reviewing tours for students, Chand directed that preference be given to students from rural, border, backward and hilly areas as those living in these inaccessible areas seldom get a chance to visit cities and other parts of the country.
He said strict monitoring of food quality being provided at schools should be done by a committee involving health officials at district levels and periodic inspections should be made to ensure hygienic food in schools.