In order to review the progress of two important centrally sponsored schemes, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA), a meeting was convened by District Development Commissioner (DDC), Leh Saugat Biswas on 22 May at Conference Hall Leh.

While reviewing the status of infrastructure under SSA, the DDC took a serious note of incomplete Primary School buildings in Raichann Farol Turtuk, Yul Turtuk, Bari Turtuk, Youlkham and Skurbuchan despite the timely availability of funds. He directed the respective ZEO’s to finish these works in a scheduled manner.

On the issue of availability of functional toilets with running water facilities through electric motors in schools for both boys and girls, the DDC highlighted that provision of these facilities is a mandatory requirement as directed by the apex Court. In this regard, all the SDM’s have been directed to visit girl’s schools in their respective sub-divisions and report on the functional status of toilets to DDC. On the issue regarding incomplete toilets, the concerned ZEO’s were directed to conclude the works in the next 20 days. The DDC also directed the concerned Junior Engineers to alter the prototype and design of toilets if needed to suit local conditions.
Discussing the usage of various school grants available under SSA, Biswas noted the lack of spending from the department and instructed the Chief Education Officer to make strategies for re-appropriation of funds for various activities, most importantly for purchase of school furniture for the students.

All the concerned ZEOs were also directed to submit details of expenditure reports on Teacher Learning Equipments (TLE) and Learning Corner Grant within a week. On the issue of training of teachers by DIET, marking a shift from previous years, the DDC directed the CEO to focus on Science, English and Geography training modules along with Urdu. The DDC highlighted the importance of laboratory facilities for students and asked the CEO to make all defunct laboratories functional within ten days. The DDC released grant for the procurement of teaching and learning material for 250 teachers teaching science and geography across the district.

On the issue of quality Computer Education, the lack of specialized Computer Teachers in the district was highlighted and it was decided to work out a strategy for arranging resource persons till permanent teachers are available. The DDC directed the department to make an inventory of the available computer equipments in the 36 Computer Aided Learning centres (CALs) across the district to ascertain their suitability for contemporary use and also directed the CEO to prepare class wise syllabus for Computer Education.

Reviewing the status of construction works under RMSA, the Deputy Commissioner directed the Superintending Engineer PWD, Leh to complete the ongoing construction works at High School Tyakshi and Achinathang by 15th July 2015. The respective SDM’s have been directed to inspect the progress and submit reports with photographs to the DDC.

On the extremely vital issue of quality education imparted by teachers in classes, all the ZEO’s were instructed to undertake two visits every week to schools falling under their jurisdiction and observe the quality of teaching and learning outcomes in these schools and to submit the observations from these visits directly to the DDC.

The meeting was attended by Chief Education Officer, Superintending Engineer PWD, Chief Planning Officer, DC Office & District Education Planning Officer along with ZEO’s from all the education zones, Executive Engineers, representatives from DIET and PMRDF’s from DC Office.

Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) is a Government of India flagship programme for achievement of Universalization of Elementary Education (UEE) in a time bound manner, while Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA), also a flagship scheme of Government of India was launched in March, 2009 to enhance access to secondary education and improve its quality.