JK govt okays setting up of education advisory board

The Jammu and Kashmir government today gave its nod for setting up an education advisory board to give expert advice on various issues pertaining to growth and development of education in the state.
The nod to constitute the State Education Advisory Board (SEAB) was given by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at a meeting here, an official spokesman said.
The high-level meeting reviewed the progress of Sarva Siksha Abhiyan (SSA) and Rashtriya Mdhymik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA), he said.
Omar emphasised the need to ensure 100 per cent coverage of schools under the drinking water supply and sanitation facility schemes.
"Targets fixed under the centrally-sponsored flagship programmes should be made time-bound," the Chief Minister said.

The focus should be on dovetailing and combining health programmes to ensure complete health cover to the children, he said.

The spokesman said the meeting was informed during the current financial year 309 primary schools would be opened and 138 primary schools upgraded to upper primary level.
Ten lakh children, including all girls, belonging to weaker sections would be provided financial assistance of Rs 400 each for purchase of school uniforms this year, the spokesman said.
An amount of Rs 40.90 crore had been earmarked for the purpose, he said.
In addition, for free supply of text books to the poor students of 3rd to 8th standard, Rs 30.90 crore would be spent this year, the spokesman said.