MUZAFFARABAD: The first smart school in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) was inaugurated on Saturday in a relatively underprivileged area of the state capital, marking a significant milestone in the region’s education sector.

This innovative project, part of a larger initiative to establish 40 smart schools across AJK, is a collaboration between the Ministry of Federal Education and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) to transform the learning experience for students in AJK.

The entire project is expected to be completed within the next two months.

The inauguration was performed byFederal Secretary for Education and Professional Training, Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani, who has spent part of his student life in Muzaffarabad, and is widely credited for spearheading a remarkable transformation of public sector educational institutions in the federal capital.

Located in the remotest part of the Upper Chattar neighbourhood, the Government Girls Primary School, which alsocaters to boys, has been equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including smart screens, IT labs, and Google Classroom integration.

The school’s infrastructure has undergone a complete overhaul in just three days.

The entire building, particularly the classrooms, has been repaired, colourfully painted, and refurbished with new doors. Corridors now feature wall hangings inscribed with inspirational quotes about education, as well as racks stocked with storybooks.

A health infirmary and a separate section for mind games have also been established, ensuring a holistic environment for both learning and well-being.

“Today, I am proudly inaugurating the first smart school of Azad Kashmir in my hometown, Muzaffarabad. This is just the beginning! Over the next three weeks, 39 more schools will undergo similar transformations,” Mr Wani announced after cutting the ribbon.

His remarks were met with enthusiastic applause from young students, teachers, and local residents, including members of the School Management Committee.

Prominent attendees included AJK’s Senior Member Board of Revenue (SMBR) Zaheeruddin Qureshi, Special Secretary for Education Syed Saleem Gardezi, ISPR Sector Commander Brig Tariq Sohail, local PML-N leader Shahid Mahmood Wani, as well as UNESCO and AJK Education Department officials.

“We are committed to providing quality education to all students in AJK, regardless of their background or location. This project is a testament to our dedication to empowering future generations with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in an increasingly complex world,” Mr Wani said.

He further disclosed that teachers would undergo blended training programmes to effectively integrate technology into education, enabling them to harness the full potential of these new facilities.

The local community, teachers, and students expressed their excitement about the upgraded facilities, believing that the changes would provide access to quality education and modern learning tools that were previously unimaginable.

“I don’t have words to express my gratitude. We could not even dream of what we have received under this project,” said headmistress Nabeela Kiani.

Recalling the school’s humble beginnings in 2006 with just six students, she said the number of students was 81 today, 47 of them girls.

“This initiative will not only boost enrolment but also help us educate our students through the latest methods of teaching,” she added with a beaming face.

Published in Dawn, January 26th, 2025