Khansahib (Budgam), Jan 4: The inhabitants of Draggar and its adjoining villages in Khansahib Tehsil of Central Kashmir’s Budgam district have demanded upgradation of local High School to Higher Secondary Educational Institution under the centrally sponsored scheme Rashtriya Madhamik Shiksha Abhiyaan (RMSA).
 Accusing the government of political victimization, the locals said the authorities were mulling to upgrade Government High School at Raithan to Higher Secondary School which is totally unfair, unjust and against the norms under RMSA scheme set by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD).

HISTORY OF DRAGGAR HIGH SCHOOL
 The government established Basic Activity School at Draggar in 1965 which used to impart education to the local children mostly belonging to Gujjar community up to 3rd primary. The school was subsequently upgraded to Central School in the year 968 thus allowing students to study in the school till class 6th. The Central School Draggar Khansahib was further upgraded to Middle school in 1978 and finally this school became a full fledged High School in 1982.
 “The school has a catchment area of around seven villages with a population of nearly 15000 souls, but till date the educational institution has not been upgraded to Higher Secondary School” a local resident Bashir Ahmad told Greater Kashmir.
 “Our children have to go to Higher Secondary School Khansahib or Arigam after passing class 10th and both these schools are more than eight kilometers from Draggar and other adjoining villages, thus making it very difficult for students to continue the studies especially the girls. We are being politically victimized," Bashir added.

SCHOOL FULFILLING RMSA CRITERIA
 Under the Rashtriya Madhamik Shiksha Abhiyaan (RMSA) scheme, a government educational institution can be upgraded from Middle to High and subsequently to Higher Secondary school provided that there is no High or Higher Secondary School in the radius of around five kilometers. “In case of High School Draggar the nearest Higher Secondary School is at Khansahib which is more than seven kilometers and if the Government has selected Government High School at Raithan for upgradation then it is injustice with the students of Draggar and other adjoining villages because there is a Higher Secondary School at Arigam which is just two and half kilometers from Raithan and Higher Secondary School Khansahib is merely three and a half kilometers” says  Sarpanch of Draggar village Muhammad Sakhi Kalas.
 “If government upgrades the Raithan High School to Higher Secondary School it will be clear violation of RMSA norms set by the Ministry of HRD Government of India,” the Sarpanch added.

CEO BUDGAM SPEAKS
 When contacted, Chief Education Officer (CEO) Budgam, Abdul Rashid said, the government had not yet decided to upgrade the Raithan High School to Higher Secondary School “We have only send feasibility report to the higher authorities about few schools of Khansahib area and no final decision has been taken yet,” CEO added.
 Pertinent, the CEO Budgam had allegedly given a wrong feasibility report to the RMSA Directorate about upgradation of a Middle School in Frestwar to High School and this news was carried by Greater Kashmir few months back.
 Locals say the CEO had allegedly approved Middle School Shalnad for upgradation. “According to the R&B authorities the school is just three and a half kilometers from Arigam where there is a higher secondary school,” the locals added.
 Frestwar residents allege that their village is more than five kilometers away from Arigam Higher Secondary School and the CEO has allegedly flouted the norms.
 The CEO told Greater Kashmir that R&B authorities can be wrong “ I have myself measured the distance from Arigam to Shalnad and it is five kilometers I have not done anything wrong,” CEO Abdul Rashid added.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 4 Jan 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 4 Jan 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 5 Jan 2012 00:00:00 IST