Srinagar gets 25 smart schools following the Delhi model: Reports

NEW DELHI: The district magistrate of Srinagar announced the completion of 25 smart schools on Sunday, January 19, 2020. The schools have been refurbished following the Delhi school model.

Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, district magistrate and development commissioner of Srinagar tweeted: “Belated though, here is the new year gift for Srinagar. After months of hard work, our 25 smart schools are ready to offer students and parents the best. Let’s make it great #SmartCity,”

Based on various parameters like, land and availability of buildings, 25 schools were identified out of the 52 government schools which made the final cut. Speaking to Greater Kashmir Choudhary said, “110 schools were shortlisted for the project out of which 52 qualified for the final round and 25 schools were selected after [a] series of meetings with staff, visit schools and after receiving feedback from students,”

Smart school in Srinagar. (Source: Twitter/Shahid Choudhary)

Greater Kashmir further reported that the Delhi model of schools and the survey of district schools were studied in order to understand the needs of the students. The project commenced last year in September.

According to the Times of India, a budget of Rs. 3 crore was sanctioned for the schools which will have complete autonomy and decision making powers.

‘Delhi leads the way’

Government schools in Delhi have witnessed a major transformation after the Aam Aadmi Party came into power in 2015. Over 50 schools were reconstructed and modernised with better equipment and infrastructure as a part of a pilot project. With prime focus on education reforms, the Delhi government has so far constructed 8,000 new classrooms in the city.

Apparently, states like Meghalaya and Maharashtra have also decided to follow suit. According to The New Indian Express, the Delhi model will be implemented in Municipal Corporation-run schools in cities like Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Pimpri-Chinchwad and Navi Mumbai.

Last year, the education minister of Meghalaya, Lahkmen Rymbui, also visited a government school in Delhi and was reportedly impressed by the "Happiness Curriculum" - a new study module introduced by the AAP government. Rymbui told The New Indian Express, “ this school has one of the best infrastructures I have seen. The teachers are very good. The Delhi government’s happiness class is very important for the youth today. I have come here today to see how we can replicate this in Meghalaya.”

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