SRINAGAR, AUGUST 24: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today chaired a review meeting of the School Education Department at the Civil Secretariat here to review a comprehensive roadmap for strengthening access to senior secondary education and improving the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) at the higher secondary level in Jammu and Kashmir.

The meeting discussed a phased plan to upgrade 714 High Schools into K-12 composite schools, with focus on requirements of teaching and non-teaching staff, infrastructure, laboratories and other essential facilities.

The proposed upgradation is aimed at ensuring continuity in school education, expanding access to Classes XI and XII and reducing dropouts at the critical transition after Class 10, particularly in underserved and geographically remote areas.

The meeting also deliberated on better utilisation of existing human resources, strengthening academic facilities and improving the overall school network. The roadmap envisages a planned and requirement-based approach to expansion, besides coordination with the Government of India for necessary support under centrally sponsored schemes.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah emphasised the need for a focused and need-based strategy to expand senior secondary education, with particular attention to accessibility and ensuring better educational opportunities for students across Jammu and Kashmir.

The meeting was attended by Minister for Education Sakina Itoo, Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Dheeraj Gupta, ACS PWD Anil Kumar Singh, ACS Finance Shailendra Kumar, Commissioner Secretary Planning, Development and Monitoring, R Alice Vaz, Commissioner Secretary Education Ram Niwas Sharma, Mission Director Samagra, Director Education Kashmir and other concerned officers.