“Affluent and resourceful people are in a position to impart education to their wards in high profile schools paying huge tuition and other fee. We have to focus on the children belonging to poorer sections providing them accessibility and facility to study and prove their talent”, he said adding that the target group should also be those children whose parents could not attain education for poverty but are eager to educate their children. He asked that the State Education Department and NGOs in the field to collectively work in this direction.
Addressing the Annual Day function of Naveen Sikhsha Kendra run by NGO ‘Saweera’ Society for the children of labour class and poorer sections at Channi Himmat here, Omar Abdullah said that the efforts of the NGO to impart free quality education to the children of these sections are encouraging and praise worthy.
Minister for School Education, Peerzada Mohammad Sayed, Minister for Revenue, Raman Bhalla, Minister of State for Home, Nasir Aslam Wani, Director General Police, Kuldeep Khoda, Managing Director,
National Power Grid Corporation of India, Mr. Sharma, President ‘Saweera’ Gurmeet Singh, noted Social Worker and Founder Member of the society, R. R. Khajuria, former legislators and prominent citizens were present on the occasion.
The Chief Minister announced Rs. 7.5 lakh grant for the society for setting up a modern computer lab in the School. He said government would extend all help to the institutions working for providing education to the children of weaker sections of the society. He asked the Education Department to work out measures which would strengthen the NGO in its efforts to impart quality education to the boys and girls of poorer sections.
Omar Abdullah said that his government has launched multi-faceted educational programme in the State where under accessibility of children living in far-flung areas and belonging to weaker sections is focused to help impart quality education to them at primary, secondary and higher levels. He said that the NGOs and other organizations in educational field could substantially supplement the efforts of the government by reaching out to this targeted group.
“At present merit rules the roost in all fields of life including education. No consideration of coming from backward area or belonging to poorer sections counts in getting admission in the higher education or obtaining employment”, he said asking the school management to ensure quality education to the students enabling them to compete successfully at all levels. He also impressed for imparting moral education along with academic excellence.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister for School Education, Peerzada Mohammad Sayed said that the coalition government under the leadership of Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah is marching ahead to attain hundred percent literacy coverage in the State.
“We have launched various schemes to reach out children all across the State in the education sector”, he said referring to the liberal financial support being given by the Central Government to universalize education in the State.
The Education Minister announced free uniform and books for the students of the school.
Minister for Revenue, Raman Bhalla who is also MLA of the area said that government would extend all possible help to the school to grow and expand its educational activities.
(EKNN)
