PULWAMA, OCTOBER 21: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Pulwama, Kuldeep Krishan Sidha Wednesday chaired a comprehensive review meeting of the Education Sector at the Meeting Hall of the Administrative Complex, Pulwama, to assess academic performance, learning outcomes, teacher availability, infrastructure, student welfare, inclusive education, nutrition, digital initiatives, implementation of schemes and financial utilisation across the district.
Chief Education Officer, Pulwama, provided a detailed presentation before the Chair covering the district’s educational profile and various academic and developmental initiatives. The chair was apprised that district Pulwama has 8 educational zones, 681 schools, 6,792 teachers, 38 clusters and 16 PM SHRI schools.
The DC said the review should provide a comprehensive assessment of school education, with focus on learning outcomes, school-wise academic performance, teacher availability and accountability, pupil-teacher ratio, infrastructure and basic facilities, student welfare, inclusion, nutrition, school safety, mental and social well-being, community participation, winter preparedness, migration-related issues, ICT utilisation and financial performance.
During the meeting, the DC sought an assessment of the reasons for the gaps. He directed all Zonal Education Officers to intensify outreach and enrolment drives, engage parents and communities and prepare zone-wise action plans for increasing enrolment within five days.
He further directed that teacher deployment be rationalised on the basis of the Pupil-Teacher Ratio, while avoiding unnecessary transfers, so that available manpower is utilised optimally and schools facing shortages are adequately staffed.
Reviewing academic performance, the DC directed the Education Department to undertake school-wise analysis of Board examination results for the last three calendar years, identify low-performing schools and ascertain the reasons for underperformance. He called for targeted academic interventions and stressed the need to work towards 100 percent pass percentage, while preparing students for higher education, competitive examinations and global competition.
The assessment data presented during the meeting showed encouraging performance of Pulwama in several learning indicators. Under PRS 2024, Grade 3 students recorded 67 percent in Language and 64 percent in Mathematics against J&K averages of 57 percent and 54 percent respectively. Grade 6 performance was at the national average in the reported subjects, while Grade 9 remained above the J&K average across the reported subjects. The DC directed the department to consolidate these gains and address identified learning gaps.
“Every teacher and Principal must remain focused on every student. No student’s academic year should be wasted and identified learning deficiencies must be addressed in time,” the DC said.
In view of the winter period and Board examinations, the DC directed ZEOs to identify students of Classes 10th and 12th requiring additional academic support and formulate 40-day capsule courses. Teachers willing to provide voluntary coaching, particularly to poor and needy students, should be identified, while suitable centres with heating facilities should also be mapped. The requisite action plan was directed to be submitted within five days.
