JAMMU: Government and private schools in all the 10 districts of Jammu Division opened up for regular physical claswork for classes 1st to 8th after an almost year long sabbatical forced by the COVID-19 pandemic, here on Monday. The opening up of schools was marked by the celebration of International Women’s Day in which more than 3.5 lakh students, teachers and other staff memeners participated.
The schools have reopened for the first time for physical classes in the winter zone schools since March 2020 for the primary classes and the visibly happy and excited students were welcomed with equal enthusiasm by the teachers and staff members with songs, dances flowers, balloons, sweets and chocolates.
Director School Education Jammu Ms. Anuradha Gupta, in her message to the students, their parents and staff members congratulated all the students, parents, teachers, staff members and other stakeholders for the reopening up of schools and at the same time cautioned everyone to follow all the safety measures properly.
The Directorate of School Education Jammu organised various activities also like webinars, seminars, debates, short races, games etc. across all the ten districts of Jammu division to celebrate the International Women’s Day 2021 which coincided with the opening up of schools. More than 3.5 lac students and teachers participated in these activities.
A special online program on International Women’s day, moderated ny Ms. Alka Sharma, was also organized today by the Directorate of School Education Jammu with Ms. Promila Kaul Lecturer in English writer and social activist, Seema Sharma Advocate J&k High court, Dr. Surinder Sharma, Counseling cell DSEJ as panelists wherein Ms.Promila Kaul highlighted the historical perspective of the day and emphasized on education being the key to bring change in the society.
Ms. Seema Sharma discussed the legal provisions and women rights highlighting the different women issues like domestic violence, abuse etc.
Ms. Anuradha Gupta along with CEO Jammu Mr. Vijay Sharma visited Government Girls Higher Secondary School Shastri Nagar where she joined in the special assembly organised to mark the Women’s Day celebrations. She inspected the preparations in various other schools and interacted with the students and other stakeholders, collecting feedback to ensure smooth and hassle free continuation of class work and gave on spot directions where ever necessary.
Similar inspections were carried out by CEOs, DIET Principals, ZEO, and HOIs in all the other districts of the division also to ensure smooth opening up of schools and class work including the far flung areas of the Divison. In kishtwar District, Chief education officer Kishtwar Ashok Kumar inspected various schools in Dachhan during his 2 day tour of the area.
He was accompanied by Principal HSS Dachhan Milky Ram, Headmaster HS Lopara Radha krishan besides Jr assistant CEO office Kishtwar Om Prakash thakur and took first hand appraisal of the functioning of the various schools and the status of the infrastructure and staff position.
Ms. Anuradha Gupta divulged that the students as well as parents were enthusiastic about the reopening of schools and the decision had been made after taking various factors into account and due deliberations.
She further said that all the SOPs and guidelines were being followed and every care was being taken to ensure safety and security of the students and staff members.
It is pertinent to mention here that, Directorate of School Education Jammu had taken up various developmental works in schools during these covid induced vacations in schools like upliftment and renovation of school buildings, refurbishing by providing furniture and other equipments, starting herbal and nutritional gardens, augmenting libraries, laboratories and computer labs. etc.
