Revolutionary initiatives: Outgoing G-B chief secretary leaves lasting legacy

Wani introduced numerous initiatives for education in the region, including 'smartification' of schools

ISLAMABAD:

Outgoing Chief Secretary Gilgit-Baltistan Mohiuddin Wani leaves a lasting legacy of revolutionary initiatives and services in the region as his 19-month tenure comes to an end.

Under the leadership of Wani, the Gilgit-Baltistan government made significant progress in key sectors such as education, health, IT, tourism, and environmental conservation. One of Wani's notable achievements is the introduction of the Meal-a-Day Program in government primary schools across the region.

The initiative ensured that children in 70 schools received daily meals, with students in Gilgit, Diamer, and Skardu benefitting from six days of nutritious food per week.

He initiated several other crucial projects that greatly improved the lives of the people in Gilgit-Baltistan. One of these projects, also part of the Meal-a-Day Program, provided nutritious meals to students in more than 70 schools in collaboration with Allahwalay Trust.

Thanks to this initiative, attendance in these schools soared from 65 per cent to an impressive 90 per cent.

In addition to this, Wani implemented the Tech-Fellow Program, which introduced STEM, computer education, and entrepreneurship courses to 200 schools across G-B.

These courses, based on guidelines by top-of-the-line trainers, offer both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.

Smart schools

Another groundbreaking initiative is the Smart Schools Program, which has transformed 34 schools in the region into state-of-the-art institutions equipped with IT technology.

These schools have been provided with digital interactive smart TVs, Learning Management Systems (LMS), and offsite and onsite servers. The LMS is loaded with quality content and demonstrations based on the curriculum.

Furthermore, the primary and middle schools smartification project aims to turn an additional 200 schools into smart schools within the next four months.

These schools will be equipped with high-tech LED smart screens, chrome books, back-up solar power, and online and offline LMS. With support from the Federal Government, this initiative will revolutionize the education system in Gilgit-Baltistan.

The work in this regard has already commenced and very soon all the schools will be equipped with latest IT technology.

Moreover, the Department of Education Gilgit-Baltistan recently signed an MoU with the Special Communication Organisation to convert 180 more schools into smart schools.

Additionally, OGDCL has also signed an MoU to transform 10 schools across the region. This would in effect result in the conversion of a maximum number of schools in G-B to smart schools offering quality education backed by LMS and highly sophisticated IT learning tools.