Pampore, September 17: Minister for Higher Education, Health and Social Welfare, Sakeena Masood Itoo, on Thursday inaugurated the newly constructed District Institute of Education and Training (DIET) building at Pampore, a Science Laboratory Block at Government Degree College (GDC) Pampore and two New Type Primary Health Centres (NTPHCs) at Mondakpal and Shar Shali in the area.
The newly constructed DIET building is aimed at strengthening teacher training, professional development and academic support by providing improved infrastructure and resources for educators.
MLA Pampore Retired Justice Hasnain Masoodi, MLA Rajpora Ghulam Mohi Uddin Mir, MLA Tral Rafiq Ahmad Naik, MLA Pulwama Waheed Ur Rehman Para, Secretary School Education Department Ram Niwas Sharma, Director Higher Education, Director Health Services Kashmir, senior officers of the Education Department and District Administration Pulwama, besides other dignitaries, were present on the occasion.
The DIET has been envisioned as a centre for teacher education and capacity building, with a focus on innovative teaching practices, curriculum support, training programmes and continuous professional development.
Itoo also handed over regularisation orders to 17 Contingent Paid Workers (CPWs) of the School Education Department from Pulwama district.
Later, the Minister inaugurated the Science Laboratory Block at GDC Pampore in the presence of accompanying MLAs and officials.
Addressing a gathering at the college auditorium, Itoo said a college is not merely a physical structure but an institution that contributes to the intellectual, social and professional development of young people. She stressed the need to make higher education responsive to students’ aspirations and changing employment requirements.
Referring to the year-on-year increase in enrolment at GDC Pampore, she appreciated the faculty and staff for strengthening the institution and creating a conducive academic environment.
Itoo also released the second issue of the biannual college newsletter, Shakh-e-Zafran, and unveiled Oneirataxia, a collection of poems authored by Dr. Gazala Gayas, Principal, GDC Pampore.
Later, Itoo inaugurated two NTPHCs at Mondakpal and Shar Shali Pampore in the presence of MLA Pampore Retired Justice Hasnain Masoodi and other officials.
The Minister interacted with local residents and reviewed the facilities at the newly inaugurated health centres. She said the government was committed to providing accessible, affordable and quality healthcare services, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
The two NTPHCs are expected to benefit residents of Mondakpal, Shar Shali and adjoining areas by providing essential healthcare services closer to their homes.
Speaking to the media, Itoo said that since the formation of the present Omar Abdullah-led government in Jammu and Kashmir, efforts had focused on addressing long-pending issues and expediting developmental works.
She said the inauguration of the DIET institution was one such initiative and claimed that construction work on thousands of buildings that had remained pending was now underway, with many having been completed.
Itoo also said around 4,000 to 5,000 Contingent Paid Workers had been regularised during the government’s tenure and were now working in various departments.
She said the government was working across sectors including road connectivity, education and health to improve facilities and ensure that services were available closer to people’s doorsteps.
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