While the government schools across Valley are grappling with dearth of proper infrastructure, Srinagar district administration is all set to imitate Delhi model to set up model schools in the summer capital.
The move comes at a time when majority of the governmentschools in city lack basic infrastructure and permanent buildings as well.
Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Shahid Iqbal Choudhary saidthey have decided to develop 25 schools as model schools under district plan.
“We will utilise our resources out of our district plan andset up model schools in Srinagar city. First 25 schools will be developed assmart schools on pilot basis,” the DC said.
He said the initiative was taken after studying Delhi modelof schools and survey of city schools to gather information about the studentneeds.
The survey of government schools from class 1st primary to10th has also revealed that the present pupil-teacher ratio in governmentschools was 1:5 as compared to 1:20 in private schools in this segment.
“The survey also revealed that government schools far morein number cater to only 18 percent of students enrolled while 82 percentstudents are enrolled in private schools.
“To make the government schools more attractive and focus atoutcomes the project has been initiated with a multipronged strategy,” deputycommissioner Srinagar said.
He said 110 schools were shortlisted for the project out ofwhich 52 qualified for final round and 25 schools were selected after series ofmeetings with staff, visit to schools and after receiving feedback fromstudents.
“Our focus is on primary and middle schools,” he said.
As per official figures, there are 519 government schools inSrinagar district out of which 308 are run from shabby rented spaces withoutbasic facilities required for an educational institution.
Meanwhile, under the smart school project, the schools willhave smart classrooms, proper water and electricity supply, accessibility,furniture, library and laboratory. “These schools will also have proper sportsfacilities and other will get extracurricular support,” DC said. He said theseschools will also have entrepreneurship classes and career counselling cells aswell.
He said the teams of four officials will be framed by thedistrict administration who will visit the school on monthly basis to monitorthe multi-facet activities, with specific terms of reference and submit reportwith recommendations on required interventions.
“The new smart schools will also have an option of transportfacilities which will be used on basis of parent school partnership and onsubsidized fare,” he said.