In a recent review meeting in Lohit district, Education Minister PD Sona stressed the need to shift the focus from increasing pass percentages to improving the overall quality of education in schools. He emphasized that the priority should be on constructing simple kitchen sheds under the PM Poshan Scheme, rather than elaborate structures, to ensure efficient use of funds.
Sona also urged authorities to prioritize schools in need of urgent attention and recommended aligning proposals with the needs of local MLAs. He highlighted the importance of mentor officers adopting schools and promoting awareness and addressing educational challenges. The meeting also covered concerns about the shortage of 70-80 teachers across schools, hindering the delivery of quality education.
In the agriculture sector, local officials cited a low number of beneficiaries (49) and inadequate funding under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana. A call was made to increase funding to better support local farmers and their livelihoods. The review meeting also discussed the damage caused by wild elephants to crops such as rice, betel nut, rubber, and oil palm and the need for solar fencing as an urgent measure to protect crops.
Infrastructure challenges, particularly in rural areas, were a focal point of the meeting. The delay in the TR Camp Road project was flagged, with officials expressing the urgency to expedite construction. The meeting also recognized the digital divide as a significant barrier, especially in programs like the Poshan Tracker, which relies on accurate data collection for monitoring health and nutrition. Concerns were also raised regarding the low honorarium of anganwadi workers, with officials recommending an increase to better support these essential community workers.
To address these challenges, Sona advocated for the Chief Minister’s Rural Connectivity Scheme to be prioritized for key infrastructure projects that failed to meet the PMGSY criteria. Another recommendation was to repurpose closed schools for use as anganwadi centers to help address the infrastructure deficiency. The review meeting concluded with a collective commitment to address the challenges facing the district, with a focus on sustainable, community-driven development.
Representatives from various departments emphasized the importance of research and development to enhance agricultural practices, and officials stressed the need for improved data collection and management systems. The meeting concluded with a strong emphasis on the need for transparency, accountability, and effective project implementation, ensuring that resources are allocated efficiently and district projects align with local needs and priorities.
Original Source: https://arunachaltimes.in/index.php/2025/03/17/focus-on-improving-overall-quality-of-education-sona/
Category : State News
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Publish Date: 2025-03-17 00:07:00
