Lieutenant Governor, G C Murmu Tuesday chaired a high level meeting of Education department to review the education scenario in Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir amid COVID-19 lockdown. Among others, the meeting was attended by Advisor K K Sharma, Chief Secretary B V R Subrahmanyam, Principal Secretary Planning department and Information department Rohit Kansal, Principal Secretary School Education Dr Asgar Samoon, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir P K Pole, Secretary Higher Education Talat Parvez Rohella, Director School Education Kashmir Muhammad Younis and Director Colleges Prof Muhammad Yaseen. The meeting discussed the overall functioning of the department and status of academic activities during the present crisis. Dr Samoon informed the meeting that in the absence of normal functioning of schools due to lockdown, the students are being taught through tele-classes conducted through local cable network Doordarshan, Radio and J&K Knowledge Network. Besides online virtual classes are being arranged for students who have access to smart phones. Under Aawo Padhein initiative, Directorate of School Education has made available a repository of video lessons which are accessible on its website www.dsek.nic.in. Besides, a school management system application has been prepared by the School Education department for three tier monitoring of teaching-learning process. The Lieutenant Governor discussed the progress of making school books available to the students. He gave directions for installing TV sets in far off and tail-end schools so that they too can have access to virtual classes which would promote e-learning in these challenging times and asked for framing broad based committee of experts for revision of academic curriculum. Secretary School Education informed the meeting that the department has ensured continuity of Mid Day Meal scheme by providing dry ration to 8,23,150 students at the rate of 6 kg per primary student and 9 kg for upper primary student and the cooking cost for two months is being credited into the bank accounts of eligible children through the DBT mode. The Lieutenant Governor directed that lab survey of high and higher secondary schools be conducted to fill the gaps and asked the department to ensure up-gradation of Science labs in schools as well as colleges so that these are equipped with all necessary instruments. He directed the concerned to conduct safety audit of all school buildings. He asked the School Education department to verify whether toilets constructed under different government schemes are fully functional. He gave directions for 100% coverage of schools in providing them toilet facility and piped water connection in the left out pockets under the Jal Jeevan Mission. Citing lopsided teacher-student ratio in most of the government run schools, Murmu gave instructions for rationalization of staff in Government schools so that adequate number of teachers are available in rural areas. Regarding the menace of absenteeism in schools, LG directed the concerned to develop application-based attendance system across J&K for both teachers and students to ensure cent percent attendance. The LG also gave strict instructions for making training mandatory for teachers so that they remain abreast with latest teaching techniques and asked the department to devise a proper training calendar for teachers. During the meeting, the LG announced that it may not be possible to reopen the schools till 31st May 2020 and during this time period the department should take up infrastructural repairs. He emphasized that before the schools and colleges are reopened, all educational institutions should be properly sanitized and fumigated. He also directed for setting up a mechanism for general health check up of the students twice a year besides issuing health cards so that their parents remain aware of their childrens’ state of health. Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Secretary asked the School Education Department to complete the departmental promotions at all levels to firm up the transition of SSA teachers against regular posts. He asked the department to work out a framework for having composite schools in Government sector and to undertake quality assessment of schools through Quality Council of India. The LG directed the concerned authorities to arrange Computer Tablets for SC, ST and backward under Graduate students so that they too can have access to e-learning. He also gave instructions to sanitize and refurbish all hostel buildings before these are reopened. He also directed to set up hostel facilities for all tribal children so that they can stay back for studies while their parents are away attending to their calling.
