Ranchi: Hemant Soren on Tuesday chaired a high-level review meeting of the School Education and Literacy Department at the Jharkhand Ministry, where he issued strong directions to improve the quality of education and infrastructure in government schools across the state.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister reviewed the implementation of departmental schemes, educational arrangements in schools, infrastructure development, and facilities being provided to students. He instructed officials to ensure that all welfare schemes and educational programmes reach students transparently and on time.
Hemant Soren said the state government is committed to providing quality education to children in Jharkhand. He noted that government schools are being equipped with better infrastructure and modern teaching resources to strengthen learning outcomes.
The Chief Minister expressed satisfaction over the improving examination results in government schools but directed officials to focus more on teacher training and academic improvement. He also asked the department to speed up the teacher recruitment process and fill all vacant posts on priority.
He directed officials to complete verification formalities for newly appointed teachers by the end of this month to ensure timely salary payments.
Jharkhand Performing Better Than National Average in Reducing Dropouts
Officials informed the Chief Minister that dropout rates in primary and secondary education have declined significantly and that Jharkhand is performing better than the national average in this regard. The department is conducting special enrolment drives to bring dropout children back to school.
Coordination is also being done with the Labour Department to identify children engaged in labour or other work who are still out of school.
The Chief Minister instructed officials to ensure internet connectivity in all government schools and improve ICT lab facilities. He also directed the department to identify schools with poor board examination results and take corrective measures regarding teachers, resources, and academic systems.
Push to Expand CM Schools of Excellence to 5,000
Hemant Soren directed officials to accelerate work on expanding the number of CM School of Excellence institutions to 5,000 across the state so that quality education reaches every panchayat.
He made it clear that within the next six to eight months, no government school should function with only a single teacher. He also suggested involving qualified local youths, especially girls, through school management committees to address teacher shortages.
The Chief Minister further asked the department to bring uniformity in teaching systems across government schools and launch a pilot transport facility for students to ensure timely travel between home and school. He also directed large-scale plantation drives on school campuses.
Focus on Residential Education and Sports
Hemant Soren instructed officials to provide quality residential education and proper facilities to deprived children studying in Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Residential Schools. Officials informed him that 26 such schools are currently functioning in the state, providing free education and accommodation to nearly 4,000 underprivileged children.
The Chief Minister also emphasised promoting sports activities alongside academics in government schools and directed officials to identify talented students who can excel in sports at higher levels.
DPR for Dishom Guru Shibu Soren School Within a Week
During the meeting, officials gave a presentation on the proposed Dishom Guru Shibu Soren School to be established at the Jaguar Campus in Ranchi. A six-acre plot has been identified for the project.
The Chief Minister directed officials to submit the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the proposed school within a week. The institution is being planned to provide free education to children of martyred police personnel.
Senior officials, including Chief Secretary Avinash Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary Ajay Kumar Singh, and School Education Secretary Uma Shankar Singh, attended the meeting.