Preparations for reopening of schools, exams reviewed

Srinagar, Feb 22:  Ahead of reopening of the schools across Kashmir Valley for commencement of class work from March 1, the Director School Education Kashmir (DSEK), Tasaduq Hussain Mir visited far off areas of south Kashmir besides convening a meeting in north Kashmir districts to review the cluster system of schools.

The DSEK visited the far-flung areas of Pulwama and Shopian districts to take stock of the preparations for reopening of schools post over three month long winter vacations.

The DSEK visited far-off areas of Pulwama and Shopian districts in south Kashmir and interacted with teachers of several institutions to take feedback about the readiness for the commencement of class work in schools and the upcoming annual Board examinations.

While the schools will resume class work for students from March 1, the teachers, as per the government order, were directed to report to their schools from February 21.

The DSEK during his visit to south Kashmir districts directed the teachers and other field staff to review the preparations for upcoming examinations and ensure all the requisite arrangements are in place.

“We should make all the arrangements to welcome the students on March 1 and the day should be given a festive look,” the DSEK told teachers.

Notably, on Thursday, the DSEK convened separate meetings in north Kashmir’s Kupwara and Baramulla districts to review the implementation of the cluster system of schools in Kashmir.

As already reported by this newspaper the school education department has formulated School Complexes or Clusters across J&K UT for efficient resourcing and to boost school governance.

The Cluster School System has been formulated in terms of Part-I, Chapter 7 of National Education Policy (NEP)- 2020 which mentions “Efficient resourcing and Effective Governance through School Complexes/Clusters” for effective sharing of resources.

Under the new Cluster system of schools, the concerned Principal of the Higher Secondary School (HSS) will be the Complex Head for the schools located in its jurisdiction.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of the review meeting held in Baramulla, DSEK Tasaduq Hussain Mir said that the department is assessing the preparation for reopening of schools.

“We want to create a congenial atmosphere for the students who are supposed to join their institutions from next week, they should not face any problems,” he said.

About the Pupil Teacher Ratio (OTR) in schools, DSEK said the PTR in schools was best in the country saying that against PTR of 1:25 at national level, the schools in Valley have PTR of 1:10 or 1:12.

He said that as per the government directions, the rationalisation of teaching staff is done on the basis of student strength in schools to ensure that no school faces any shortage of teachers.

“The issue of teacher shortage in schools was dealt with by two pronged strategies. In higher secondary schools we issued orders for lecturers to take classes of class 9th and 10th students besides taking classes of higher secondary classes,” he said.

He further stated that the headmasters and principals have been directed to take classes in their respective schools.

About the implementation of NEP-2020 in schools, DSEK Tasaduq Hussain Mir said the policy was in the implementing phase and the department will implement it in letter and spirit.

About the attendance of teachers in schools located in snow bound areas, the DSEK told Greater Kashmir that the teachers posted in such schools have been asked to report to their cluster heads and Zonal Education Officers.

“We will assess that if any schools are still inaccessible due to accumulation of snow, we will take up the matter with the concerned Executive Engineer of the R&B department and get the areas cleared so that the schools will reopen from March 1 for routine class work,” he said.