Srinagar, Feb 23: The Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) has directed all Heads of Institutions (HoIs) to make attendance of secondary school students compulsory, as part of measures aimed at strengthening the school education system and curbing the practice of dummy admissions.
The directive follows complaints that students from secondary to senior secondary levels obtain dummy admissions in government schools while attending private coaching centres throughout the academic year, largely to inflate pass percentages.
The instructions have been issued ahead of the reopening of schools across Kashmir after the three-month-long winter vacation.
The Directorate of School Education Kashmir, has also finalised an academic planner for the 2025–26 session in line with the implementation framework of the National Education Policy.
“A uniform calendar for all government and recognised private schools of the Kashmir division has been devised for advance academic planning, ensuring uniformity and coherence in classroom practices,” an official document states.
Schools have been asked to place greater emphasis on formative assessment, encouraging a shift from summative to formative evaluation methods. As part of this initiative, each teacher will design at least one Holistic Progress Card (HPC) activity, with the best activity to be displayed on the school notice board throughout the year.
Cluster Heads have been instructed to conduct sessions on HPC implementation and innovative pedagogical approaches, with a specific focus on HPC-based formative assessment.
The directive further states that schools must follow NEP-2020 in letter and spirit, along with the National Curriculum Framework for the Foundational Stage (NCF-FS). “The National Curriculum Framework–School Education (NCF-SE) shall guide the competency-based teaching-learning process and assessment,” it reads.
Teachers have been directed to conduct assessments strictly as per NEP-2020 norms and to maintain Holistic Progress Cards for students.
As per the academic schedule, a three-month school readiness programme for Class I students will be implemented in line with the NCERT Vidya Pravesh manual. In addition, remedial teaching will be provided during the first 30 days to address learning gaps, based on students’ previous academic performance.
DSEK has also emphasised the use of morning assemblies for imparting moral education through storytelling and student participation in value-based activities. “Moral education should be integrated across the curriculum, with teachers serving as role models so that students imbibe these values,” the document notes.
Reiterating its focus on attendance, the Directorate has said that regular attendance of all students, particularly those in secondary classes, must be ensured. Schools have been encouraged to use the VSK JK Smart Attendance chatbot for monitoring attendance.
To improve transparency and restore public confidence, schools have been directed to hold Parent-Teacher Meetings once every month, specifically on the 26th. “If the 26th falls on a holiday, the PTM shall be conducted on the next working day,” the order states. (GK)
