Kashmir Pen News Bureau
Srinagar, Sept 8: The Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) has issued a fresh directive making regular attendance mandatory for all students, with particular emphasis on classes 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th. The order, aligned with the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP-2020), stresses that classroom presence is essential for holistic development, hands-on learning, and overall academic growth.
Director School Education Kashmir, Dr. G. N. Itoo, underlined the importance of the move, stating, “Ensuring students’ presence in classrooms is foundational to building their intellectual curiosity, creativity, emotional intelligence, and ethical awareness. NEP 2020 envisions education as a transformative journey, and regular attendance plays a crucial role in making that vision a reality.”
The circular directs schools to strictly enforce attendance through modern systems, including the VSK Attendance Chatbot and Aadhaar-based tracking, across both government and private institutions. Principals have been instructed to ensure that practical classes, especially in science subjects, are conducted regularly to strengthen hands-on learning.
The directive also calls upon principals and faculty to foster a supportive and engaging academic environment that encourages students to attend regularly. “Teachers are mentors and motivators. By creating a positive environment where students feel supported and encouraged, we can inspire them to pursue excellence in academics and beyond,” Dr. Itoo said.
All Joint Directors, Chief Education Officers, Cluster Heads, and Zonal Education Officers have been tasked with personally monitoring the implementation of the order. The circular further warns that non-compliance with the attendance directive will be treated as a serious matter and may invite disciplinary action.
The Directorate has urged educators, parents, and the wider community to collectively ensure that the goals of NEP 2020 are achieved, so that students across the region benefit from comprehensive and skill-oriented education | Kashmir Pen
