KNZ NEWS DESK
Directorate School Education Kashmir (DSEK) Wednesday said to avoid the loss in academics due to shutdowns andunforeseen events, the next holiday afterthe strike day should be deemed as the working day to compensate loss of study time.DSEK in an academic planner (2017-18) for schools in Kashmir division said: “In case of a shutdown/hartal (strike)/unforeseen event/forced closure of the school, the next holiday should be deemed as the working day to avoid academic loss.”DSEK also stated that the attendance of students should be seriously made obligatory to strengthen the school system; “if possible, an option of biometric attendance for students of High and Higher Secondary Schools may be practiced”.The academic planner states, “Attendance of students for practical work in Higher Secondary Schools should be at least done through the biometric attendance system with proper arrival and departure time. Marks for the attendance (in practical classes) should be awarded as per the actual attendance.”It also states, “In case of slow learners having huge learning gaps,separate remedial classes should be started at the beginning of the academic year during mornings or evenings.”“At Primary Level, 200 instructional days comprising of 800 effective school hours are mandatory as such Winter Break for Primary Schools may be of 3 months duration from 1st December to ending February. In addition to this 15-day summer break at the appropriatetime may be given,” reads the academic planner.The planner also states, “At upper primary Level, 220 instructional days comprising of 1000 effective school hours are mandatory as such winter break for upper primary schools may be of two months and 15 days duration from 15th December to 20th February. Inaddition to this 10-day summer break at the appropriate time may be given.”“In case it seems that the syllabus transaction targets are missed as per the given timeline by any teacher, the extra morning and evening classes for the subjects should be started at once,” reads a planner.It is also mentioned that every week, there should be some co-curricular activity in the second half of each Saturday like sports, debates, quiz, seminars etc.“These activities should collate with the curriculum to make the core academics more attractive and joyful.”The academic planner also reads that those morning assemblies “be tapped for imparting moral education by means of stories on moral education, and the participation ofstudents in different activities reflecting morals”.
