Army sets up 'Goodwill School' in remote LoC belt

Updated on: Saturday, October 23, 2010

In an effort to make education accessible to children living in one of the remotest areas of Jammu and Kashmir, the Army today started a 'Goodwill School' in a village near LoC in Poonch district.

Lt Gen Rameshwar Roy, General Officer Commanding, White Knight Corps, dedicated the Army Goodwill School at Saujian-Gagriyan near the LoC in Poonch district to the people of the area, fulfilling the long-standing demand of locals for a school which would provide quality education to children of the area.

The school has been constructed under project Sadbhavana of the Indian Army which envisages providing quality education to the children in backward and remote areas of Jammu and Kashmir, Defence Spokesman Lt Col Biplav Nath said.

Besides construction of the school building, the Army also provided furniture, teaching aids, sports items and two computers with accessories, he said.

Saujian-Gagriyan village is one of the most remote and economically underdeveloped areas in Poonch district.

"The area has borne the brunt of three wars and was victimized by a sway of rampant terrorism wherein a number of uneducated and unemployed youth were lured by the militants," Nath said.

Teachers for the school have been selected from among the locals, thus providing gainful employment to people of the area, he said, adding, a total of 180 students have been admitted in the school which is initially being run from Nursery to Class I based on Jammu and Kashmir Education Board pattern.

He said that subsequently, on being recognized, the school will be run from Class I to Class V as a primary school.

Army sets up 'Goodwill School' in remote LoC belt

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