A Step Forward: 'Smart' Classrooms in Jammu and Kashmir Schools

Srinagar: In a significant move that can turn a new leaf in the education system of Jammu and Kashmir, the state government has come up with state-of-the art Smart Classes in schools and the ambitious initiative has been set-off with the training of teachers.

At this government higher secondary school in Bijbehara - alma mater of Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed - an instructor has come from Chandigarh to train teachers on how to run digital classes.

"As visual knowledge is more impactful than reading knowledge, it gives you audio visual aide. It facilitates the teacher and clears the abstract concepts which can be shown easily in the classrooms - like pumping of heart, dissection of a frog or growing of a plant." said instructor Rahul Jaiswal.

Farooq Ahmad, a teacher at the Bijbehara school, said: "This will help teachers and students by means of animations, videos all that in this interactive board. It's a very good thing that has happened."

Last month, the chief minister had inaugurated smart classrooms in Basholi and RS Pura.

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The government is also trying to rope in common man by setting village education committees to oversee the functioning of model schools and making teachers accountable.

Welcoming the introduction technology in classroom, Javid Ahmad, a teacher, said: "Establishing model school and smart learning classes is a good beginning... but I believe teachers need to change first then it will help everybody."

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However some teachers also expressed their concern over the lack of basic infrastructure in the state.

"We are holding 6 classes in two rooms. Our basic problem is lack accommodation and absence of toilets/ bathroom facility," said Hasina Bano, a teacher at a government run school in Shariefabad.

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This school in the outskirts of Srinagar functions from the premises of a mosque and students don't even have access to toilets. The school has just two rooms.

The chief minister Sayeed, however, is confident that besides providing basic facilities to schools, his government will establish smart classrooms in all parts of the state.

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"I have told them it's not enough. You have to conduct training courses for teachers because it's a new concept. I believe well begun is half done and this process will go on." Mr Sayeed had said.