Srinagar, Sep 11: The School Education Department has banned schools from letting students leave early without permission on the last working day of every month.
Directorate of School Education Kashmir in a circular said that it has observed during visits to various schools in North Kashmir including Bandipora, Baramulla and Kupwara that in some educational institutions an unauthorized practice of dispersing students before the prescribed closing time on the last working day of every month is being followed.
DSEK said that the practice of observing an unauthorized ‘half-day’ on the last day of every month is strictly prohibited.
“The last working day of the month is a regular working day and the prescribed school timings shall be adhered to in letter and spirit,” reads the circular.
It also said, “No Head of Institution or member of the staff shall curtail the instructional/working hours or disperse students before the prescribed closing time merely on the ground that it is the last day of the month.”
The directorate further said that such practices result in loss of valuable instructional time, adversely affect the academic interests of students and reflect a serious lapse in the proper discharge of official duties.
“It has also been observed that during such curtailed hours, students may be left without meaningful academic engagement while staff may indulge in activities not connected with their assigned duties,” DSEK said.
DSEK directed all Chief Education Officers, Zonal Education Officers and Heads of Institutions of North Kashmir viz. Bandipora, Baramulla and Kupwara to ensure that the practice is stopped forthwith and that schools function strictly as per the prescribed timings on the last working day of every month as well as on all other working days.
“The Heads of Institutions shall remain personally responsible for ensuring the proper attendance of staff and students, effective utilization of instructional time and adherence to the prescribed school timings,” reads the circular.
It also said that any instance of unauthorized early dispersal of students or deliberate curtailment of school hours shall be viewed seriously.
“Any official found involved in, facilitating or permitting such unauthorized practice shall be liable for strict administrative/disciplinary action under the applicable rules, besides any other action warranted under the circumstances,” DSEK said—(KNO)
