Srinagar, Dec 21: The School Education Department (SED) has shifted its focus toward improving learning levels among students following gaps identified in the National Achievement Survey (NAS) conducted earlier this year.
The Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) has launched district-level orientation programmes to address the learning deficiencies highlighted by the survey.
The NAS, conducted by PARAKH-NCERT and the Ministry of Education, assesses learning outcomes of students in classes 3, 6, and 9. The district-wise examination evaluates children’s competency in Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and Languages through an independent examination body appointed by NCERT.
Director School Education Kashmir, Naseer Ahmad Wani, visited Kulgam district on Saturday to oversee an orientation programme aimed at identifying and addressing the gaps pointed out in NAS. The latest survey was conducted across India in December 2023, with results declared in June-July 2024.
“Since NAS assesses district-wise performance, we have started orientation programmes at the district level to chalk out plans for improving students’ learning levels,” Wani said.
He noted that while Kulgam district’s performance was comparatively good, there is always scope for improvement. “We share the NAS data with faculty members and identify which areas need improvement,” Wani said during his Kulgam visit.
Addressing the issue of declining interest in reading and writing, Wani emphasised that cultivating a passion for writing could help reduce excessive screen time among students. “The present generation is more inclined toward screen time, which reduces their interest in writing or reading. If students develop an interest in writing, it will gradually reduce their screen time,” he said. DSEK earlier organised a similar orientation programme at the District Institute of Education and Training (DIET) Beerwah in Budgam to deliberate on improving poor learning outcomes.
“Our main objective is to ensure significant improvement in students’ learning outcomes, which is why we are organising orientation programmes in every district,” Wani added.
