Q. Brief us about yourself? 

Julley! My name is Deldan Angmo. I completed my primary education at Government Higher School Sumoor, followed by grades 6 to 12 at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Leh. I pursued both my graduation and post-graduation at Jammu University.

I have been serving in the education department for the past 23 years, during which I have worked as a lecturer in several high schools and have also held the position of principal. Currently, I am the In-Charge Principal of DIET, Leh.

Q. What is the mission and vision of the DIET department? How does it align with the NEP?

The mission of the DIET department is to enhance the quality of education in schools across districts by training teachers and equipping them as valuable resources for schools. DIET Leh has recently been elevated to a Centre of Excellence, receiving additional grants from the central government to strengthen its existing infrastructure and facilities. This upgrade is expected to bring significant improvements in terms of infrastructure, buildings, and overall development.

All training programs at DIET are aligned with the guidelines of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Recently, training sessions were conducted for headmasters of primary and middle schools, covering 174 teachers. These sessions included in-depth discussions on the National Curriculum Framework (NCF), holistic progress report cards, Vidya Pravesh, and other key initiatives under the NEP.

The NEP 2020 emphasizes joyful learning, learning by doing, and eliminating the compulsion for rote study. It advocates for teaching children in their mother tongue and promoting local languages to enhance comprehension and cultural connection.

Thanks to the initiative of Adv. Tashi Gyalson, CEC, LAHDC Leh, a state-of-the-art multimedia studio has been established at DIET Leh. This studio creates educational content tailored for the PM eVidya channel, with Ladakh being allotted 5 out of 200 channels. These channels are used to broadcast curated content to benefit students.

Aligned with the NEP, the textbooks for grades 1, 3, and 6 have been revised. Teachers are being trained to contextualize the updated content and develop engaging resources in the multimedia studio. The faculty has also been trained to manage and utilize the studio effectively, allowing students to showcase their talents.

Through this platform, I encourage parents, especially those in remote areas, to recognize that children possess diverse talents beyond academics.

Parents are urged to support their children and bring them to the studio to explore and nurture their abilities.

Q. What types of courses and training programs does the DIET department offer for teachers, and how often are they conducted?

While a B.Ed. course is available, it is offered as a distance education program under Kashmir University, not directly through DIET. However, the contractual program for the course is facilitated by DIET faculty, with approximately 300 students currently enrolled.

Previously, the DIET department conducted D.El.Ed. (Diploma in Elementary Education) programs, which provided training for in-service teachers. All training for in-service teachers under this program has been successfully completed.

Looking ahead, the DIET department is planning to introduce pre-service D.El.Ed. courses to further enhance teacher training opportunities in the near future.

Q. What initiatives have been taken to promote innovative and effective teaching practices in schools?

We are committed to providing high-quality training for all teachers. With the transition from the JK Board to CBSE, we have made efforts to bring in resource persons from NCERT, CBSE, and ASCRT to enhance the quality of education. Additionally, we send our faculty members to renowned institutions such as RI Ajmer, NCERT, and other training centers for professional development.

Under the Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyaan, science training is conducted, including TLM (Teaching Learning Material) Melas and science exhibitions held at the zone, district, UT, and national levels. Many students from Ladakh have reached the national level through this initiative.

In line with the NEP 2020, we have focused on promoting mother tongue languages. This year, we organized a Bhoti TLM Mela, which was a significant step in encouraging the use of the local language in teaching. Additionally, folk dance and song competitions were held at the national level, with our students currently competing in Bhopal.

These initiatives provide both students and teachers with valuable opportunities to engage in modern educational practices while preserving local culture and traditions.

Q. What challenges is the DIET department facing and how are they addressed? 

After formation of UT government there is no such problem in funds and all. But the main challenge is that the faculties, teachers and members of DIET department are not permanent  staff as they are brought from education department as deputation for 3 months. So, our training for years inside and outside DIET department get into waste as we have to again go back to education department and work as lecturer or teacher. 

Q. Apart from training, the DIET department also conducts examinations. Can you brief us about it?

The DIET department conducts exams for classes 3, 5, and 8. Additionally, following the shift of government schools to the CBSE system, pre-board exams are also conducted in collaboration with the Directorate of School Education.

In alignment with the NEP guidelines, starting this year, we are planning to implement a Holistic Progress Report Card. This report card will provide a comprehensive assessment of students, covering their cognitive, social, physical, and emotional development.

What sets this report card apart is its emphasis on a shared responsibility for the student’s progress. While teachers will continue to assess students, parents will also play an integral role. A dedicated space will allow parents to reflect on their child's progress. In cases where parents are uneducated, they can communicate with teachers to have their observations documented. Additionally, peers and the students themselves will have the opportunity to provide input and mark progress.

This 360-degree approach ensures a more holistic and inclusive assessment, recognizing not only academic performance but also hidden talents and skills that contribute to the overall development of the student.

Q. What do you think about the importance of strengthening government schools?

In my perspective, government schools play a crucial role in shaping the future of society. They provide inclusive and equitable education, offering opportunities for all children regardless of their socioeconomic background. Strengthening government schools can bridge the gap of inequality in education.

Traditionally, wealthier families send their children to private schools, while children from poorer backgrounds attend government schools. If we succeed in strengthening government schools, we can reduce the divide between the rich and the poor, ensuring more equal opportunities for all.
The government is actively working to enhance the quality of education in these schools, focusing on digital literacy and the integration of technology. ICT labs are being set up in schools, and smart interactive boards have been installed. To complement these technological advancements, the DIET department is providing training to teachers, equipping them with the skills to effectively use these technologies in the classroom.

Q. How does the department engage with the local community and stakeholders to promote educational development?

As per the NEP guidelines and the National Curriculum, community participation plays a vital role in the educational process. Education is not just about academics; it also includes the development of life skills and an understanding of civic responsibilities.

To foster this, every school has a School Management Committee (SMC), which includes key stakeholders from the local community. These committees regularly hold meetings with parents to discuss school activities and decision-making processes.

The DIET department actively engages with schools to promote the inclusion of the community in education. We provide training to school staff on how to effectively involve the community in the educational development of students, creating a collaborative environment for both academic and social growth.

Message to Readers

DIET Leh is providing quality training for teachers, and we urge them to apply these skills in schools. We also invite parents, especially from remote areas, to bring their children’s hidden talents to our multimedia studio, where we will create videos and showcase them on our channels.