DSEK’s winter tutorials witnesses poor implementation

Srinagar, Jan 15: The much hyped winter tutorial started by the Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) has witnessed poor implementation and the Zonal Education Officers (ZEOs) have recommended suspension of the teachers.

As already reported, the DSEK earlier decided to start “on demand” winter tutorials and winter camps to mitigate the learning gaps among students.

Director School Education Kashmir G N Itoo earlier said the initiative was demand-driven and the Chief Education Officers (CEOs) were asked to start winter tutorials and camps wherever needed as per norms.

However, the initiative has witnessed a poor implementation following which the concerned ZEOs have written to the Chief Education Officer (CEO) Kupwara regarding the non compliance by the teachers.

Also, a list of 28 teachers has been submitted to the CEO Kupwara for non compliance of the orders for making winter tutorials and winter camps functional in their respective areas.

In an official communication to CEO Kupwara, ZEO Mawar has stated that the in accordance with the orders to set up winter tutorials in Zone Mawar, subsequent orders were issued to the teachers for joining and performing their duties in winter tutorials.

“However, despite clear orders and ample notifications, the teachers have failed to join their duties,” ZEO Mawar in an official communication has said.

The official communication further reads that the non compliance by the teachers has disrupted the smooth functioning of the winter tutorials and the students are deprived of the academic support they require during this period.

“In view of the above facts, I recommend that these teachers (list enclosed) be considered for suspension in accordance with the rules governing such non compliance,” the official communication reads.

However, some of the teachers have submitted their representations citing that they were not able to join the winter tutorials due to some health issues.

“Kindly provide the directions on whether these representations should be accepted and what steps should be taken to ensure smooth functioning of winter tutorials,” the ZEO has written to CEO Kupwara.

The Director School Education Kashmir G N Itoo said that the winter tutorials were started by the CEOs following the guidelines issued by the Directorate.

“I convened a meeting with all CEOs and on my authorization it was circulated that the winter tutorials will be started as per the norms,” G N Itoo told Greater Kashmir.

Asked about the availability of textbooks, Itoo said the winter tutorials were run as the concerned HoIs have certified that they have retained the last year books which are being used by the students in these tutorials.

“The school heads have retained the last year textbooks which are being utilised in winter tutorials,” G N Itoo said.