DC Pulwama reviews Education Sector

• Focus on Learning Outcomes, Student & Teacher attendance, Infrastructure, School Safety , Welfare Schemes & Quality of Education

PULWAMA: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Pulwama, Kuldeep Krishan Sidha today 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.

The CEO was also directed to ensure appropriate academic support and accommodation for students from far-flung areas wherever required. Students preparing for competitive examinations, scholarship examinations and interviews should be mapped so that the District Administration can facilitate them wherever necessary.

The meeting reviewed implementation of the Holistic Progress Card (HPC) as a comprehensive mechanism for assessing students beyond conventional marks. The DC directed the Education Department to provide necessary teacher training and proposed a three-to-five-day HPC capacity-building programme after the annual examinations, covering teachers up to Class 12. Anganwadi workers should also be suitably included to strengthen the transition from early childhood education to formal schooling.

The DC directed early identification and mapping of children requiring specialised support and called for coordination between education and health functionaries. The CEO was asked to assess requirements for wheelchairs, accessibility facilities and suitable support centres for children with special needs.

On inclusive education, the meeting was informed that eight capacity-building programmes had covered around 600 teachers, masters and Heads of Institutions, with focus on SEDGs, transgender learners and innovative inclusive teaching methodologies.

The DC directed comprehensive mapping of Children with Special Needs (CWSN), including special abilities, existing facilities and gaps in support, and stressed a sensitive, child-centred approach. He also sought a report within five days on eligibility criteria and implementation of scholarships/allowances for deserving students.

Reviewing digital initiatives, the meeting was informed that under Vidya Samiksha Kendra, 557 schools had marked Smart Attendance, Shikshak Sahayak usage stood at 53.74 percent, DigiLearn usage at 13.83 percent, Study Buddy had more than 80 per cent student enrolment, and MIS reports had been submitted by 342 of 681 schools. The DC directed improved utilisation of ICT and smart-class facilities and asked the Education Department to include sessions on Artificial Intelligence, cyber security, online safety and responsible digital use in its awareness calendar.

The DC directed the Education Department to identify children of school-going age who are engaged in labour or are otherwise out of school and ensure their enrolment, stressing that no child should be left behind. Anganwadi and field-level functionaries were also asked to identify vulnerable children and facilitate timely intervention.

The role of Aayas/helpers was reviewed, with the meeting informed that 300 Aayas had been trained through three venues covering all eight educational zones. The DC directed that their capacity building be strengthened, particularly in mental hygiene, child safety, good touch and bad touch and basic child protection.

The functioning of Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas and girls' hostels was also reviewed. The DC directed assessment of gaps and an action plan for improvement, besides ensuring essential facilities including washrooms for specially-abled children and playgrounds.

Reviewing PM POSHAN, the DC stressed quality, hygiene and nutritional value of meals. He directed consultation with qualified nutritionists for age-appropriate diet charts and called for strict monitoring of procurement, food preparation, storage and serving practices.

The DC also directed timely provision of scholarships, uniforms and other student entitlements, while cases requiring assistance beyond existing schemes should be brought to the notice of the District Administration for appropriate facilitation.

The financial position of education programmes was reviewed, with the presentation recording SAMAGRA funds received at approximately Rs 1.48 crore, with expenditure of approximately Rs 51.20 lakh. The DC directed 100 percent utilisation of available funds as per approved norms, with zone-wise monitoring and priority to interventions directly benefiting students and learning outcomes.

The proposed 2026-27 DIET capacity-building programme was also reviewed, comprising 17 SAMAGRA programmes for 2,380 participants with an outlay of Rs 39.70 lakh, besides three UT Budget programmes covering 150 participants at an outlay of Rs 2 lakh.

During the infrastructure and development review, the DC directed the CPO, ACD, ZEOs and concerned Executive Engineers to work in coordination to resolve land-related issues and other bottlenecks affecting school projects. He directed field assessment of washrooms, heating arrangements, accessibility and other basic facilities and asked engineers to prioritise genuine infrastructure requirements.

The DC also called for greater environmental responsibility in school development works and suggested linking tree plantation targets proportionately with expenditure on school construction, subject to site feasibility and applicable norms.

The meeting was informed that DIET Pulwama has established a monitoring mechanism with four teams covering all eight educational zones, undertaking classroom observations, learner assessments, teacher mentoring, document verification and school-improvement monitoring. Ten low-performing schools had received focused mentoring and remedial support. The DC directed that field monitoring be strengthened and translated into measurable academic improvement.

Concluding the meeting, the Deputy Commissioner called upon the CEO, ZEOs, Principals, Heads of Institutions and teachers to assume full ownership and accountability for the Education Sector and work as a coordinated team. He stressed that the focus must remain on improving enrolment and learning outcomes while ensuring adequate teachers, safe and inclusive schools, quality nutrition, effective use of technology, timely implementation of schemes and proper utilisation of public funds.

He directed the officers to remain connected with the field, identify gaps promptly and ensure that every child in the district receives safe, inclusive and quality education.

The meeting was attended by ADDC Pulwama, Gulzar Ahmad Bhat, CPO Pulwama, Aashiq Khanday, CEO Pulwama, Principal DIET Pampore, concerned Executive Engineers, all ZEOs and other concerned officers and officials.