Principal Secretary School Education, Dr Asgar Hassan Samoon, today visited Bandipora to review the functioning of Education Department in the district.Deputy Commissioner, Dr Owais Ahmad, ADC Zahoor Ahmad Mir, Assistant Commissioner Revenue, Reyaz Ahmad Beigh, Chief Education Officer, Javaid Iqbal Wani besides Principals and ZEOs, officers of R&B and PHE, Principal Polytechnic College and Superintendent ITI Bandipora attended the meeting.Principal Secretary reviewed the academic activities being carried out in educational institutions of the district amid COVID-19 pandemic to compensate the academic loss owing to lockdown.It was informed in the meeting that the department is using all possible means to reach out to the students and continue teaching learning process through digital medium and community classes. Besides, out of a total of 46,337 students enrolled in the district 29,196 students are being covered through Community Classes under an Initiative ‘Hifazat’, initiated by DDC Bandipora while 14,398 students are being covered under Virtual Classes through online plateforms while 1064 students are being benefitted through Learning Management System (LMS) initiated by DSEK, the meeting was further informed.The meeting was also apprised about the initiatives being taken up by the Chief Education Office like launching of tele-classes for which a studio has been established in the office. “Out of 30,000 students of both government and private schools belonging to Bandipora zone, Quil and Hajin, 8000 students are being benefitted through these tele-classes.”
Furthermore, a competent resource group comprising Lecturers, Masters and Teachers has been constituted to deliver tele-classes pre-recorded as well as live. “About 600 Video Lectures have been recorded so far in 06 ICT centres of Zone Bandipora, which are being telecasted 24x7 in a systematic manner”.While taking review of various construction works being executed in the district under the Education sector, Principal Secretary asked the concerned for ensuring timely completion. He said that additional funds required for completion of auditorium at BHSS Bandipora will be released soon while the liabilities created in different construction works due to rate escalation will be addressed in a phased manner so that these works are completed.Dr Samoon directed the officers of Jal Shakti to ensure availability of potable water supply in 14 schools which are still lacking this basic facility.Meanwhile, Dr. Sammon visited the newly constructed studio room for tele-classes and viewed the pre-recorded lectures there. He directed the DDC and CEO to upgrade the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Labs for further improving the quality of Video Lectures. Principal Secretary appreciated the steps being taken up by the Education Department in collaboration with the District Administration to reach out to the students during the prevailing lockdown.Earlier, Principal Secretary inaugurated a camp organised by the Chief Education Office under Inclusive Education (IED) for Child With Special Needs (CWSN) wherein he distributed various Aids and Appliances among 15 CWSN students of the district.Dr Samoon interacted with the children with special needs and their parents as well and assured them of every help from the Department of Education. He said every child has right to education and the government is committed towards facilitating all CWSN students so that they do not feel alienated.