Strengthen the Basics: DSEK says elementary students need greater attention

Baramulla, Nov 27: The School Education Department (SED) has acknowledged that the elementary level of schools needs more attention to strengthen the foundational stage of the students.

The statement comes amid the poor learning outcomes of the students enrolled up to the elementary level in government schools across J&K.

Director School Education Kashmir (DSEK), Naseer Ahmad Wani, said the department will ascertain the reasons why students do not show interest in mathematics.

"The focus of the government is that the students at the elementary level should be given more attention so that their foundation becomes strong," he told reporters in Sopore.

He said if the students are provided quality education at the foundational stage, they will show their interest in every subject, including Mathematics and other science subjects.

"And once their foundation gets strong, they can make their career in any subject of their choice," he said.

This newspaper has carried a series of stories that, over the years, the National findings have pointed out poor learning outcomes among the students in languages and arithmetic at the elementary level classes.

Amid the poor outcomes, the department is considering giving more focus to the foundational stage of the students.

On a query regarding the lack of permanent accommodation for government schools, DSEK Naseer Ahmad Wani said the department was aware of the issue and the schools operating from rented accommodations are being shifted to government buildings in a phased manner.

"Some schools are operating from rented accommodations because of the unavailability of land for the construction of permanent buildings for these schools.

"But we are shifting these schools in government buildings in a phased manner," he said.

He said the department is seeking a report from the Chief Education Officers (CEOs) regarding the number of schools operating from the rented accommodations.

"If any schools in Baramulla or Sopore are operating from rented accommodations, the CEO will submit the report, and we will start the further process in it," he said.

About the shortage of teaching staff in schools, DSEK said the issue will be resolved before the reopening of schools after winter vacations.

"The vacations have already been announced and will start the rationalisation of teachers during the winter break so that all the schools will have adequate teaching staff available in March," he said.