Aazan Manzoor
Srinagar, Nov 7 (JKNS): Director School Education Kashmir, Naseer Ahmad Wani, on Saturday said that government schools were witnessing encouraging responses to the ongoing enrolment campaign across Kashmir, with parents increasingly showing confidence in government-run educational institutions.
Speaking to reporters during an enrolment drive at Dragar in Budgam district, as per news agency JKNS, Director Naseer said that 325 students were enrolled in the area during the day, including several students who had shifted from private schools to government institutions.
“It is a matter of satisfaction that students from private schools are also joining government institutions. This reflects the increasing trust of parents in our schools,” he said.
Wani said the department had launched the enrolment campaign across all districts of Kashmir, beginning with Ganderbal, and that Chief Education Officers (CEOs), Zonal Education Officers (ZEOs) and Heads of Institutions (HOIs) were actively working to ensure maximum admissions.
Explaining the choice of Dragar for the programme, he said the area was located at a considerable distance from both Srinagar and the district headquarters in Budgam, making it important to reach out to students and families in geographically distant areas.
Highlighting the facilities available in government schools, Wani said students were provided free textbooks, uniforms, exemption from fees and mid-day meals, besides other essential facilities. He added that school infrastructure, including buildings and seating arrangements, was also improving gradually.
He clarified that the 325 admissions recorded at Dragar represented only one part of the wider enrolment campaign, as similar activities were being conducted simultaneously across Kashmir. The department was compiling the overall figures, which would be shared in the coming days.
Attributing the encouraging response to sustained engagement with parents, the Director said regular Parent-Teacher Meetings (PTMs) conducted since last year had helped the department understand parental concerns and improve the functioning of government schools.
“Based on the positive feedback and suggestions received from parents, we introduced necessary changes in the system. Our teachers also adapted themselves to these changes to establish a better educational environment,” he said.
Wani announced that the department had decided to conduct Parent-Teacher Meetings on the last Friday of every month to facilitate greater participation, following requests from parents who found Fridays more convenient.
He said regular PTMs were now becoming an integral part of government schools, with parents actively participating and sharing suggestions regarding their children’s education.
Appealing to parents to remain engaged with educational institutions, Wani said they could approach his office, Chief Education Officers or Junior Education Officers with their concerns and suggestions.
“Our primary objective is to provide the best possible education and training to our children. Every valuable suggestion from parents will be welcomed and acted upon,” he added. (JKNS)
