The Governing Body Meeting of ‘Yountan Society’ Samagra Shiksha, UT Ladakh, was held under the chairmanship of Advisor Ladakh, Dr. Pawan Kotwal, at the Civil Secretariat, Leh, on February 6.

The Director of the School Education Department, UT Ladakh, delivered a comprehensive PowerPoint presentation covering key issues, including the financial and physical progress of projects under Samagra Shiksha, the status of elementary and secondary education, the implementation of vocational education, and CBSE adoption. The major component-wise approved outlay for 2024-25 was also discussed.

The meeting focused on enhancing educational infrastructure, teacher training, digital learning initiatives, and special interventions for students in UT Ladakh. Concerned officials provided updates on ongoing projects, including school upgradation, monitoring mechanisms, smart classrooms, and vocational education programs.

Discussions and deliberations were held on intervention-wise projections under Samagra Shiksha and fresh proposals. The Chief Secretary/Advisor to LG, UT Ladakh, emphasized the need for result-oriented capacity-building training for teachers and urged officials to adopt the requisite modalities as per norms to strengthen schools.

Highlighting the importance of primary education, the Advisor stressed that all teachers, including ReT teachers, should be adequately trained to ensure students acquire foundational literacy and numeracy skills as they transition to higher classes.

The meeting also addressed concerns over students' poor performance in CBSE exams last year. The Advisor instructed officials to enhance educational investments to improve student outcomes in future CBSE exams.

Committee members Kacho Isfindyar Khan and E.S. Gergan provided detailed insights into school monitoring mechanisms and teacher assessment workshops. They emphasized that once these measures are implemented, Ladakh’s educational sector will see significant improvement.

Recognizing the needs of specially-abled children, the Advisor directed officials to train at least 120 eligible teachers in consultation with CBSE experts over the next three years. He also instructed the procurement of fortified food items for hostels and schools under SSA, ensuring that students from classes 9 to 12 receive fortified nutrition.

The meeting was attended by the Principal Secretary of UT Ladakh, the Administrative Secretary of PD&MD, the Administrative Secretary of the School Education Department of UT Ladakh, the District Magistrate of Leh, the Director of the School Education Department, and other concerned officials. The District Magistrate of Kargil, CEO Kargil, Kacho Isfindyar Khan, E.S. Gergan, and CBSE officials joined the meeting virtually.