Performance of govt schools unsatisfactory, says Akhtar
Cites lack of basic infrastructure, absenteeism & inadequate stakeholder participation as reasons
In order to get good results in government schools, the Department of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) has announced incentives, including promotions, for teachers whose student tops in Class X exams.
The DSEK today announced that the entire staff of the school where a student tops in Class X exams in the current academic session will get out-of-turn promotions.
“If a student of any government school of the Kashmir division gets the first position at the province level in this year’s Class 10 board exams then all the staff of that school will be given out-of-turn promotions,” said Director of School Education Shah Faesal.
He said that that the teachers of these schools would also be given a postings of their choice which otherwise is not possible in normal cases.
“A chance for choice postings besides cash prize, citation and special school grant will be given for improving the facilities in the school,” Shah Faesal said.
State Education Minister Naeem Akhtar had also directed officials for special mentoring of prospective toppers in all schools while announcing incentives for the teachers.
The Director said that the scheme would be first implemented in Kashmir where the session ends in November and then be continued in Jammu.
“The step has beentaken to incentivise the performance in schools and it is for both the divisions. First, it will be implemented in Kashmir,” the Director said.
Reacting to the development, teacher Sajid Ahmad said, “This is a welcome step to reform the education system in Kashmir. But the benefit should not only be for the schools producing toppers only, it should be extended to the schools getting 100 per cent results. It will motivate the teachers to focus on all students equally not just one student.”
Meanwhile, minister of Education Naeem Akhtar today admitted in the Legislative Assembly that the performance of government schools has been far from satisfactory.
The minister was replying to a question asked by Congress leader Ajatshatru who had asked that despite having most qualified teachers, the results in government schools were not good and the enrolment in the urban areas was less.
“The results of government schools are much below than private schools and far from satisfactory. Some of the main reasons are a lack of basic infrastructure, absenteeism and inadequate participation of all stakeholders,” said the minister in a written reply.
On the query regarding less enrolment in government schools, the minister said that the reason was presence of private schools and better economic standards in urban areas of the state.
However, the minister said a number of steps were being taken by the Department of Education Kashmir (DSEK) to improve the standard of education in the state.
“The steps being taken include starting of evening classes, free coaching and introduction of pre-primary classes. The schools are being integrated to tap the potential of subject-specific teachers and making use of better infrastructure. Instead of using rented accommodation, clustering of schools is being done under principals of higher secondary schools where teaching resources get optimised,” the minister added.
Akhter said that the stress was being laid on achieving basic competence and learning levels of the children.
“Mid-day meal schemes continue to be another device to meet the nutritional requirements of children and to increase enrolment,” he said.
