Early Times Report
Jammu, July 23: Former president Late APJ Kalam had once said, “Some of the brightest minds in the country can be found on last benches of the class room.”
In line with the ideology of the great intellectual, the Jammu and Kashmir Samagra Shiksha is nurturing young minds, especially the nomadic kids, in the remote belts of hilly terrains through ‘mobile schools’ being run across the Union Territory.
Under Samagra Shiksha, ‘mobile schools’ are being run by the government to educate the nomadic community, who are on the move with the seasonal change.
Project Director Samagra Shiksha, Arun Manhas here said that Administrative approval has been granted for establishment of seasonal centers (Mobile Schools) in already identified areas for a period of four months or till the migration phase is over.
“Since, the nomadic population has completed migration; therefore it becomes imperative to establish the Seasonal Centers to cater education facility to their children,” said Manhas.
Pertinent to mention here that 33,504 children have been proposed by the Samagra Shiksha to be covered by establishing seasonal centers for the current year as per the recommendations in the AWP&B 2020-21.
However, as per the district-wise detail of migratory children as submitted by respective Chief Education Officers, the number of students identified for these ‘mobile schools’ from different districts are Kupwara (1080), Anantnag (1807), Bandera (589), Baramulla (1272), Budgam (2415), Doda (3126), Ganderbal (1412), Jammu (147), Kishtwar (2363), Kulgam (2193), Kupwara (1080), Poonch (7400), Pulwama (1675), Rajouri (1777), Rambam (950), Reasi (3422), Samba (26), Shopian (1821), Udhampur (29).
The Government however, have directed the Project Director, Samagra Shiksha, J&K to establish the seasonal centers already identified, strictly as per the norms and guidelines issued (time to time) by Ministry of HRD, Government of India besides following COVID-19 SOPs like maintaining Social Distancing, Wearing of Masks etc. The Jammu and Kashmir Government had also asked the Samagra Shiksha to establish seasonal centres in identified areas for a period of four months or till migration period is over and may be allowed strictly as per guidelines of the scheme besides following SOPs in maintaining social distances prescribed by the Government.
“More nomad kids are engaged in the ‘mobile schools’ and teachers are deputed by the respective CEOs,” he said and added that they are paid during their period of engagement.
Principal Secretary, School Education and Skill Development, Dr Asgar Samoon said, “CEOs were of the opinion that with community school started working, the studies of nomadic students should not suffer and keeping all COVID guidelines in place, nod has been given to go ahead with the classes.”
Umar Ali, a teacher with ‘Mobile School’ at Sanasar said that he joined as teacher with these schools in 2010 and his first batch of students have now appeared in class tenth.
“Firstly, basic studies are taught to children like other regular schools under similar procedure,” he said and added that tents are installed to run these schools at identified locations.
“These schools remains on move depending upon the climatic conditions,” he said and added that presently, he is teaching strength of ten students and examinations are to be conducted as per scheduled date sheet issued by the concerned authorities followed by results.
As per teacher, 5 to 6 schools are underway presently at Sanasar.
Sabar Ali, an alumni of ‘mobile schools’, who completed his Engineering and is now posted as Inspector in J&K Finance Department, said, “I am the first student of these mobile schools, who went in for professional studies and then got selected for a government job.”
Sharing his success story, he said that the ‘Kabila’ (Tribe) has progressed a lot over a period of years and these ‘mobile schools’ are grooming the nomadic children to chase their dreams.
“Still, a lot of improvement is needed to give them a better future,” he added and suggested that more such schools should be established and schemes introduced for the noble cause.
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