CS directs distts to fast-track establishment of JNVs, KVs across J&K

Jammu : Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, Monday chaired a high-level meeting to review the progress and preparedness for establishment of Central educational institutions—Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) and KendriyaVidyalayas (KVs)—aimed at ensuring access to quality education for students across various districts of Jammu and Kashmir.
The meeting was attended by the Secretary, School Education Department; Commissioners of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti and Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan; Director School Education, Jammu/Kashmir; Regional Officer, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, Jammu; along with other senior officers of the department. Deputy Commissioners from all districts participated in the meeting through video conferencing.
During the meeting, the Chief Secretary conducted a thorough evaluation of the operational Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) and Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) in Jammu and Kashmir, as well as those that are not yet functional due to infrastructure issues. He highlighted the crucial role of district administrations in facilitating the prompt establishment of these educational institutions and instructed Deputy Commissioners to provide comprehensive administrative support for their early setup. The Chief Secretary specifically directed the Deputy Commissioners to find suitable rented accommodations for the temporary operation of schools until permanent land is allocated and necessary infrastructure is developed. He emphasized that delays in infrastructure should not hinder the initiation of academic activities in these important institutions. A district-wise review was conducted, assessing the status of currently operational schools, those in various stages of establishment, and newly proposed institutions across J&K. Ram Niwas Sharma, Secretary of the School Education Department, presented a detailed overview of the status of central educational institutions in the Union Territory, including a breakdown of JNVs and KVs operating from their own buildings versus those in rented premises. He also updated the meeting on land identification and infrastructure planning for non-functional and proposed institutions. The Commissioners of JNV and KVS discussed the land requirements for these institutions, noting that a JNV requires approximately 30 acres, while a KV needs about 2.5 acres in hilly areas and up to 5 acres in plains. They elaborated on the necessary infrastructural components for academic facilities, student hostels, staff residences, and extracurricular activities. Deputy Commissioners provided district-specific updates on efforts to accommodate the proposed institutions and assured the Chief Secretary of their full cooperation in expediting land transfers, temporary accommodations, and infrastructure development. The Chief Secretary reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to enhancing the educational ecosystem by ensuring the timely establishment and operationalization of central schools, particularly in underserved and remote areas.