Enrollment drive: Over 50K children enrolled in govt schools across Kashmir: Dir Edu

Chowgund (Anantnag), Mar 20: The Director of School Education, Kashmir, Ghulam Nabi Itoo, today said that more than 50,000 children have been enrolled following the reopening of schools after the winter break. The enrollment drive, launched in March, has successfully brought eligible children, out-of-school children, and children with special needs back into the school system.
Addressing the media at Government High School, Chowgund Verinag in Anantnag, Itoo expressed satisfaction with the drive’s success, saying, “We’ve successfully enrolled over 50,000 children. We are hopeful that in snowbound and hard-to-reach areas, we can extend the enrollment period further, which has already been extended by one week.”
Itoo also highlighted the importance of career counseling for students who have completed their 10th and 11th grades. “Many students need guidance on selecting career streams, especially after their 10th exams. We have initiated a one-week career counseling session to help them make informed decisions,” he explained, adding that guidance would also be provided to parents by school heads and experts.
In addition to the enrollment drive, Itoo discussed a new initiative focused on environmental awareness. He emphasized the impact of global environmental changes on Kashmir and introduced a mega plantation drive in collaboration with the Forest Department and district administration. “Every school will participate in planting saplings. Each student, along with school staff and parents, will be encouraged to plant trees to address environmental issues,” he said.
On the topic of water body conservation, Itoo mentioned that schools near rivers, springs, or gardens would be tasked with adopting and caring for these water bodies. “We have instructed schools to monitor these areas regularly, with teachers nominated to lead the initiative,” he added.
Addressing the issue of teachers being deputed to other offices, Itoo assured that teachers would remain focused on their primary duty of teaching. “Any additional work will be in addition to their regular duties. We’ve received some complaints, and I personally investigated and resolved them within 24 hours,” he stated.
The Director assured parents that the government is closely monitoring these matters, with vigilance officers ensuring compliance with government instructions. “We are committed to resolving any issues promptly,” he concluded.