Srinagar: School Education Department (SED) Monday said that students of 11th and 12th standard in Kashmir division were skipping regular classes and the trend was spreading to lower classes.
The department said that the irregularity was impacting the objective of student development as envisioned by NEP 2020.
Director of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) G N Itoo according to KNO ordered strict vigilance regarding regular attendance of students in all high and higher secondary schools.
DSEK in a circular issued in this regard said that the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020) envisions education not merely as academic instruction but as a holistic journey nurturing students’ intellectual curiosity, emotional intelligence, creative expression, ethical awareness and social skills.
“To realize this vision, especially through experiential learning and collaborative projects, regular class attendance is not only essential but the backbone to achieve competency-based learning, critical hands-on activities, teacher interactions and peer engagement, which NEP 2020 aims to cultivate among students” reads the circular.
DSEK said, “It has been observed that a number of students of classes 11th and 12th are skipping regular classes and the trend is spreading to class 9th and 10th. This is a matter of serious concern as it will impact to achieve the objectives of student development as envisioned by NEP 2020.”
The directorate also said that regular school attendance is mandatory and the school curriculum is designed to provide comprehensive learning and missing classes can create significant gaps in a student’s effective learning.
“To ensure that the goals of NEP 2020 with regard to holistic development of students are achieved, it is enjoined upon all stakeholders to ensure strict enforcement of student attendance in all government and private recognised schools through VSK attendance Chatbot, Aadhaar based attendance,” DSEK said.
Itoo further said that principals must ensure that practical classes in science subjects are conducted regularly as these are crucial for hands-on learning.
“All Principals and faculty shall take proactive measures to ensure students attend regular classes and create an engaging, academically enriching environment in schools in line with National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 which emphasizes on experiential learning,” it reads.
The director directed all joint directors, Chief Education Officers (CEOs), cluster heads, and Zonal Education Officers (ZEOs) to personally monitor compliance of circular instructions. “Non-compliance with the above instructions shall be viewed seriously and may attract disciplinary action as warranted.” (KNO)
