Srinagar, Sep 25: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday said that Jammu and Kashmir’s innovative ecosystem was transforming at the school level.

Speaking at the launch of ATL Sarthi at the University of Kashmir (KU), LG Sinha said, “A steady transformation is taking place in J&K’s innovation ecosystem at the school level by Atal Tinkering Labs.”

He said that KU serves as a nodal institution for the ATL Sarthi initiative, collaborating with NITI Aayog to establish robust monitoring mechanisms and strong institutional linkages with Atal Tinkering Labs (ATL) in schools across J&K.

The LG said that the initiative would focus on providing mentorship, capacity building for ATL teachers, and guiding students in transforming ideas into commercial prototypes.

He lauded the ATL Sarthi initiative aimed at connecting every Atal Tinkering Lab to a larger ecosystem of guidance and mentorship.

“The Atal Tinkering Lab is a fitting tribute to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. These Labs are empowering our young students and providing them with the tools for new discovery and self-development, and imparting skills like problem-solving. By nurturing the curiosity of India’s Amrit Generation, ATL labs are laying the foundation for a developed and aspirational nation,” LG Sinha said.

He said that Jammu, Udhampur, Rajouri, Kulgam, Shopian, Srinagar, and many other districts were witnessing a significant rise in student-led innovation and equipping students with future-ready skills.

LG Sinha thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for 500 additional Atal Tinkering Labs for J&K, at a cost of Rs 100 crore, under the Frontier Region Programme.

He said these additional labs would play a crucial role in inclusive innovation by starting Atal Tinkering Labs in remote and tribal areas.

The LG said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was transforming India into a society driven by innovation.

He said India is a global leader in Artificial Intelligence and AI-driven solutions for various sectors, and is expanding its reach to design and development.

LG Sinha also emphasised the need to increase the number of Atal Tinkering Labs in the Jammu division.

He said these labs would provide the youth of the region with the vast opportunity to invent effective solutions to local problems in areas such as agriculture, handicrafts, tourism, and disaster management.

The LG highlighted that under the leadership of PM Modi, innovation was no longer limited to industries and that it had become a permanent part of our society.

He termed the youth of J&K as the future innovators and urged them to take advantage of the support provided by the Centre to realise their dreams.

LG Sinha said that the landmark Rs 1 lakh crore fund for research, development, and innovation for the next 6 years was accelerating progress in high-priority sectors, ranging from energy security to climate action and deep technologies like Quantum Computing and Artificial Intelligence.

He called upon KU to focus on skill development and capacity building for Atal Tinkering Lab teachers, unlocking their potential and promoting creativity and innovation.

The LG made a special mention of Atal Tinkering Lab students from across J&K for providing innovative solutions to address local problems and challenges.

He also visited the stalls showcasing the innovative projects by the students of ATLs and interacted with the young innovators.

The occasion also witnessed the release of the coffee table book celebrating the successful innovations by the ATL students from J&K.

The representatives of Corporate and Foundation partners also briefed on their CSR initiatives aimed at fostering a stronger innovation ecosystem in J&K.

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, and MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Jitendra Singh was also present at the launch ceremony.

Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo; Mission Director, Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog, Deepak Bagla; Additional Chief Secretary, Higher Education Department, Shantmanu; Vice Chancellor, KU, Nilofer Khan; Secretary, School Education, Ram Niwas Sharma; Program Lead, Atal Innovation Mission, Deepali Upadhyay, and Registrar, KU, Prof Naseer Iqbal were also present on the occasion.

Srinagar, Sep 25: The School Education Department (SED) has issued strict instructions to all the government and private schools besides the coaching centres for adopting preventive measures to control the substance abuse in and around the educational institutions.

The circular instructions in this regard have been issued by the Secretary SED, Ram Niwas Sharma stating that the grave menace of drug abuse was alarmingly spread across the society.

“Even school going children are falling victims to this destructive practice. Such involvement not only endangers the health and future of our students but also strikes at the very foundation and purpose of education,” the circular reads.

Secretary SED said that schools and coaching centres as places of learning and character formation, bear the crucial responsibility of shielding young minds from these harmful influences and in nurturing them into responsible healthy citizens.

In view of this, the administrative department has recommended deterrent measures mandatorily for implementation in all government and private schools besides coaching centres across J&K UT.

“Teachers and other staff members shall conduct frisking of students at the time of entry into the school premises to prevent the carrying of any prohibited substances,” SED circular reads.

In addition, random frisking must be carried out during school hours to ensure constant vigilance.

“Schools shall frame their own drug free school policy, clearly mentioning prohibitions, reporting mechanisms and consequences for violations. Disciplinary committees shall be constituted in each school comprising teachers, parents and student representatives to ensure drug free and safe atmosphere in schools,” it reads.

Secretary SED has said that besides monitoring of suspicious teaching as well as non teaching staff shall also be put in place.

“Mandatory installation of CCTV cameras shall be ensured in all schools and coaching centres. Identification of vulnerable areas such as canteen and secluded corners in and around schools and coaching centres to be placed under strict and continuous monitoring,” the SED circular reads.

It reads that close vigilance over nearby establishments including tuck shops and other outlets located in the vicinity of schools and coaching centres must be ensured as they may act as “potential source of harmful supplies.”

Secretary SED has issued strict instructions for all the schools to designate at least one teaching official as a trained counselor to deal with cases related to drug abuse besides having a counseling cell in schools as well.

As per the circular instructions, both the directorates have been asked to organise training programmes besides establishing a drug prevention helpline at Directorate level as well.

“Cases of student abuse and negligence by school authorities shall be reported directly to the helpline which will in turn forward such cases to concerned agencies for immediate action,” it reads.

“Schools must strengthen sports, cultural and extracurricular activities channelise student energy in constructive directions,” it reads.

The heads of the schools have been asked to maintain close liaison with the local police authorities to ensure vigilance around school premises and curb the availability of drugs near schools.

“HoIs must send monthly compliance reports to the cluster heads who in turn shall report to CEOs for inward submission to the Directorate,” it reads.

As per the SED circular, all the CEOs and ZEOs have been asked to ensure strict implementations of preventive measures in letter and spirit.

“Any laxity found on part of schools and coaching centres will invite disciplinary action against all staff members. In case of private schools, such lapses may also lead to de-recognition of the schools,” it reads.

The directions have been issued in the “best interest of safeguarding health, education and future of students.”

Srinagar, Sep 25: Minister for Education, Social Welfare Health and Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo today chaired a meeting at Civil Secretariat here to review the performance and functioning of Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE).

The meeting was attended by Chairman JKBOSE and Additional Chief Secretary Higher Education, Shantamanu; Secretary School Education, Ram Niwas Sharma; Director School Education Kashmir, Dr. G.N Itoo; Director School Education Jammu, Naseem Javid Chowdhary; Secretary JKBOSE, Ghulam Hassan Sheikh and other senior officers of JKBOSE and School Education department.

During the meeting, the Education Minister took comprehensive assessment of overall performance, examination mechanism, evaluation, curriculum development, digitisation services as well as ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening school education across Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing the officers during the meeting, the Education Minister emphasized on timely conduct of examinations and strengthening of grievance redressal mechanisms for the facilitation of students. She further asked the officers that any updation related to curriculum updation should be done timely and before the onset of new academic session.

The Minister also directed the JKBOSE authorities that the textbooks should be made available by the end of November so that there is no hindrance in supply position before the start of new session. She asked the JKBOSE authorities and School Education department to devise a proper mechanism for dispatching of textbooks to schools well in time.

The Minister appreciated the JKBOSE for some student centric initiatives which will make the registration process as well as examination mechanism smooth. She asked the officers to establish proper mechanism for evaluation so that the results can be declared timely.

Highlighting the importance of accountability and efficiency, the Minister underscored the need for continuous upgradation of infrastructure, capacity-building of staff, and closer coordination with schools to address challenges on the ground related to examinations.

“Education is the foundation of our future. The role of JKBOSE is pivotal in shaping a transparent, modern, student-friendly examination and evaluation system. Our priority is to strengthen institutions so that every child in Jammu and Kashmir can benefit from quality education”, Sakeena Itoo stated.

The Education Minister further called the JKBOSE authorities to issue date sheet for 10th and 12th classes well in time so that the students can prepare accordingly for their respective examinations.
During the meeting, Secretary JKBOSE gave a detailed presentation on the action plan for forthcoming examinations as well as other aspects of the Board.