Panel Established to Streamline New Subjects in J&K Colleges: Minister
Click to start listening
Synopsis
The Jammu and Kashmir government has formed a committee to evaluate and rationalize new subjects in government degree colleges. Education Minister Sakina Itoo announced that the committee will assess subject offerings and their alignment with academic needs, while addressing reservation rules without a fixed timeline for reporting.
Key Takeaways
- Committee established for subject rationalization.
- 58 subjects currently offered in government colleges.
- Recommendations to align with NEP-2020.
- Controversies arise from new subjects due to societal sensitivities.
- Over 5.26 lakh SC/ST certificates issued since April 2023.
Jammu, March 15 (NationPress) The government of Jammu and Kashmir has established a committee to evaluate and streamline the new subjects offered in government degree colleges, as announced during the Assembly session on Saturday.
Education and Social Welfare Minister Sakina Itoo informed the assembly that no specific timeline has been set for the committee tasked with reviewing reservation rules and submitting its recommendations.
Responding to a query from National Conference member Sheikh Khursheed, she indicated that there are currently 58 subjects being taught in government degree colleges. A committee, formed under Government Order No 229 JK(HE) of 2023 dated August 16, 2023, is responsible for evaluating, recommending, and rationalising the introduction of new subjects and their intake capacities in accordance with the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUGP) following the National Education Policy (NEP)-2020.
The minister highlighted that the committee’s recommendations will enhance subject offerings and ensure they meet the changing academic demands.
In some instances, the introduction of new subjects has led to controversies from certain religious groups or parts of society, claiming that these topics have offended religious or sectarian sentiments. This necessitates that academicians proceed with caution when recommending new subjects or topics for inclusion in existing syllabi.
In response to a question from Peoples Conference member Sajad Gani Lone, Itoo clarified that no defined timeline has been established for the committee's report on reservation rules in J&K.
The Cabinet Sub-Committee was formed through Government Order No. 2061- JKGAD of 2024, dated December 10, 2024, to address grievances from a segment of aspirants regarding reservation rules. However, she reiterated that there is no specific timeline for the report’s submission.
Lone had inquired whether a six-month period has been allocated for the ministerial panel to submit its findings.
The minister revealed that since April 1, 2023, over 5.26 lakh certificates under Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribe categories have been issued in the Jammu region, while the Kashmir region has seen 79,813 such certificates issued.
Additionally, the government disclosed that 2,198 villages in Jammu are benefitting under the Actual Line of Control (ALC), the International Border (IB), and the Reserved Backward Area (RBA) rules, whereas 1,245 villages in Kashmir fall under these categories.
Furthermore, 29,963 certificates under the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) have been issued in J&K since April 1, 2023, with 27,420 issued in Jammu and only 2,273 in the Kashmir region.
