Jammu and Kashmir Plans to Open 200 Smart Schools By December 2022

Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha has announced plans to expand smart schools within the UT on Thursday, 25 November 2021. The government will open 200 schools with modern facilities, including internet access, by December 2022. This upcoming project is part of a larger initiative to modernise schools and uplift marginalised communities for a total of INR 40 crores. In addition, the foundation aims to bestow more than 21,000 children from Dard, Sippi, Gaddi, and Sheena communities with academic scholarships.

LT Sinha unveiled the commencement of this proposal at a press conference on Thursday. As quoted, “In 1991, the government declared the Gaddi and Sippi communities tribal, but their children could not obtain scholarships. For three decades, they kept approaching the government, but officials reached no-decision. This issue was brought to my notice, and we immediately decided that scholarships would be provided.”

The Jammu and Kashmir government has outlined a framework for the transformation and creation of smart schools within the area. Organisational leaders have involved several critical stakeholders from tribal communities to promote the inclusion of diverse opinions within the scheme. The modern facilities will allow the new generation of tribal leaders to become part of the nation’s future. Additionally, the Lieutenant Governor affirmed that the outreach would positively impact the drop-out rates within schools.