Srinagar, 22 August (H.S.): Enrolment in Government schools in J&K has increased by nearly 17 per cent, marking one of the biggest achievements of the Government, Minister Sakeena Itoo said today.

Itoo said the Government had managed to reverse a declining enrolment trend that had emerged after around 2,500 schools were clubbed, resulting in a drop in the number of students attending Government institutions.

She said the increase in overall enrolment reflected the impact of measures taken to strengthen Government schools and improve the quality of education.

If there is a decrease in enrolment in higher classes, the reason is that after 10+2, students take a different line and move out, she told reporters here.

The Minister said the Government was focusing on improving school infrastructure and expanding access to quality education through measures such as smart classrooms and infrastructure development.

I believe that the children of J&K are talented more than anyone and we have to facilitate them to achieve better, she said.

Itoo said the Government's objective was to ensure that education reached every child, while steps were also being taken to strengthen the teaching workforce.

She said new lecturers had been appointed, while 700 school posts had been referred for recruitment to address staffing requirements.

The Minister also said rules had been framed following the passage of a private member's bill and that free education was now being provided to students belonging to the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) category.

Itoo said the Government would continue to focus on increasing enrolment, upgrading infrastructure and expanding access to education, while also addressing long-pending service-related issues affecting employees in the education and health sectors.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar