SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday reviewed a roadmap to strengthen access to senior secondary education and improve the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) at the higher secondary level across the Union Territory.
Chairing a review meeting of the School Education Department at the Civil Secretariat here, Omar discussed a phased plan to upgrade 714 high schools into K-12 composite schools.
The proposed upgradation will focus on meeting requirements of teaching and non-teaching staff, infrastructure, laboratories and other essential facilities.
The move is aimed at ensuring continuity in school education, expanding access to Classes XI and XII and reducing dropouts after Class 10, particularly in underserved and geographically remote areas.
The meeting also discussed better utilisation of existing human resources, strengthening academic facilities and improving the overall school network.
The roadmap envisages a planned and need-based expansion of senior secondary education, besides coordination with the Government of India for necessary support under centrally sponsored schemes.
Omar stressed the need for a focused and requirement-based strategy to expand senior secondary education, with particular attention to accessibility and ensuring better educational opportunities for students across Jammu and Kashmir.
The meeting was attended by Education Minister Sakina Itoo, Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo and senior officers of the School Education, Finance, Planning and Public Works departments, among others.
