To overcome shortage of teaching staff, education Department Poonch has taken a proactive step towards ensuring continuous education for students. The Department has embraced online classes as a means to bridge the gap in teaching and maintain the quality of education.
In an online meeting organized by the District Resource Group Poonch, Headmasters and School Nodal Officers (SNOs) of ICT labs discussed the action plan to start online classes. The meeting was attended by Bishamber Dass, Chief Education Officer and N.M. Suri, DEPO Poonch, who provided guidance and support to address the challenges faced by schools.
The core concerns highlighted during the meeting was the shortage of teaching faculty in certain areas, leading to disruptions in the teaching-learning process. In response to this pressing issue, the Poonch Education Department devised a multi-faceted approach.
To tackle network issues and technical snags experienced by some schools, the department decided to provide video lectures and PowerPoint presentations (PPTs) in key subjects such as Mathematics, English, and Science. By offering pre-recorded lectures and PPTs, schools facing internet connectivity challenges can facilitate uninterrupted learning, ensuring that students have access to quality educational content at all times.
In addition to content support, the department recognizes the significance of a skilled teaching faculty to effectively manage online classes. To empower SNOs and subject experts, special training sessions will be organized at the zonal level next week. These workshops will equip educators with the necessary skills to navigate online teaching platforms, address technical issues, and optimize the use of video lectures and PPTs for effective classroom delivery.
During the meeting, Chief Education Officer Sh. Bishamber Dass stressed the importance of leveraging ICT labs in schools for educational purposes. He urged Headmasters to utilize the available technology to enhance the teaching process and ensure that the potential of ICT resources is fully realized.
The participating Headmasters also had the opportunity to share their experiences and concerns related to online teaching. Network issues emerged as a significant challenge, affecting the smooth conduct of virtual sessions. Technical assistance for ICT labs and specialized training for New SNOs and subject teachers were also highlighted as key requirements to improve online education delivery.
In response, N.M. Suri, DEPO Poonch, emphasized the need to address the functioning of all ICT labs in winter zones. He encouraged Headmasters to embrace the use of ICT tools for teaching purposes, underscoring the importance of adapting to the evolving educational landscape.
The Poonch Education Department’s proactive efforts to promote online classes and provide necessary support to schools demonstrate their commitment to ensuring quality education for students. By leveraging technology and imparting specialized training, they aim to overcome the challenges posed by the faculty shortage and network constraints, fostering an environment of continuous learning and resilience in the district.
Harish Sharma and Darshan Kumar, Members of District Resource Group Poonch have been assigned the responsibility of framing a comprehensive training program aimed to equip School Nodal Officers (SNOs) and subject teachers with essential skills in content creation and instructional design for online classes.
