Srinagar, Feb 19 : The Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) has asked the J&K’s school education department to improve overall educational standards in aspirational districts of Kashmir.
The two districts-Baramulla and Kupwara in north Kashmir were selected for aspirational districts program of NITI Aayog, launched by PMO in January 2018.
An official said the MHRD has suggested the department to ensure 100 percent transaction of school children from primary to upper primary schools in these two districts.
“The MHRD has observed that there can be major dropouts at primary and middle level due to various reasons which have to be addressed,” the official said.
The MHRD had prepared a pamphlet and asked the education department that schools being in different location causes inconveniences for parents to identify an upper primary school and take fresh admission while shifting students from primary schools.
As per KNO, the MHRD in 2019 had also asked the concerned deputy commissioners and Chief Education Officers (CEO) to take responsibility for ensuring automatic admission of all class 5th students in an upper primary school-class 6th to 8th.
“They should identify the schools, with classes 5th and 6th run by the government and call teachers of classes 5th and 6th for meeting for taking admissions,” the MHRD has stated.
The MHRD has asked the department to instruct the teachers to identify the upper primary school where every 5th class students will be automatically admitted into class 6th.
“Teachers should go to the residences of the students who complete class 5th exams but don’t join class 6th. Teachers should encourage students to join higher classes,” reads the document available with the KNO.
An official said these initiatives have to be taken to control the rate of school dropouts in aspirational districts.
“All girls’ and co-education schools should have adequate number of girls’ toilets as availability of toilets is critical for maintaining good health of the children,” reads the MHRD pamphlet.
The MHRD has also observed that non-availability of girls’ toilets in schools impacts drop-out of girls especially at higher levels.
“The district administration has been asked to ensure availability of adequate number of girls’ toilets in the schools by utilizing funds available under Swach Bharat Abhiyan,” the official said. (KNO)
