DSEK Makes Attendance Compulsory, Starts Monthly PTMs
The instructions have been issued ahead of the reopening of schools across Kashmir following the three-month winter break.
The Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) has asked all Heads of Institutions (HoIs) to ensure compulsory attendance of secondary school students as part of efforts to strengthen the education system and prevent the growing trend of dummy admissions.
This move comes after reports that many students enrolled in government schools at the secondary and senior secondary levels remain absent from regular classes and instead attend private coaching centres throughout the year, while staying officially enrolled to boost school pass percentages.
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The department has also prepared an academic planner for the 2025–26 academic session in accordance with the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP).
According to an official document, a common academic calendar has been introduced for all government and recognised private schools in the Kashmir division to ensure better planning, consistency, and uniformity in classroom teaching.
Schools have been directed to focus more on formative assessment rather than relying mainly on summative evaluation. Under this system, each teacher will develop at least one Holistic Progress Card (HPC) activity, and the best activity will be displayed on the school notice board for the entire academic year.
Cluster Heads have been assigned the responsibility of organising training sessions on HPC implementation and innovative teaching methods, particularly focusing on formative assessment through Holistic Progress Cards.
The directive also emphasises the need for schools to strictly follow the provisions of NEP-2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for the Foundational Stage. It states that the National Curriculum Framework–School Education (NCF-SE) will serve as the basis for competency-based teaching, learning, and assessment.
Teachers have been instructed to conduct assessments in line with NEP-2020 guidelines and maintain proper Holistic Progress Cards for all students.
As part of the academic plan, a three-month School Readiness Programme will be introduced for Class I students as per the Vidya Pravesh manual prepared by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT). Additionally, remedial teaching will be provided during the first 30 days of the session to help students overcome learning gaps based on their previous performance.
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The department has also stressed the importance of morning assemblies in promoting moral values through storytelling, discussions, and student participation in value-based activities. It noted that moral education should be integrated into everyday teaching and that teachers should act as role models.
Reinforcing its earlier directions, the Directorate has instructed schools to ensure regular attendance of all students, especially those in secondary classes, and to use the VSK JK Smart Attendance chatbot for proper monitoring.
To promote transparency and strengthen trust between schools and parents, institutions have been directed to organise Parent-Teacher Meetings (PTMs) every month on the 26th.
If the date falls on a holiday, the meeting will be held on the next working day.