Improving learning outcomes through continuous feedback and evaluation to be the focus this year: Kansal

Udhampur : Improvement in quality of teaching learning through a process of student feedback and continuous evaluation shall be the motto of the education department in this year. This was stated by the Principal Secretary, Higher Education Department (HED), Rohit Kansal Thursday. He was chairing a meeting to review the functioning of colleges of Udhampur, Kishtwar, Ramban and Doda Districts of Jammu Division at Govt Degree College, Udhampur.
The meeting was attended by Director Colleges, J&K, Director Finance, HED, Special Secretary HED, Heads of executing agencies including R&B, Police Housing Corporation and SICOP concerned XENs, Principals of GDC Udhampur, GCW Udhampur, GDC Ramnagar, GDC Majalta, GDC Cheneni, GDC Neeli Nallah, GDC DUDU Basantgarh, GDC Kishtwar, GDC Paddar, GDC Doda, GDC Bhaderwah, GDC Thathri, GDC Ramban, GDC Gool, GDC Batote and GDC Ukhral, and other senior officers of the allied departments.
During the meeting, detailed deliberations were held on various aspects of infrastructural development of colleges like construction of additional class rooms and laboratory blocks, establishment of skill centers of computer and electronics as well as agricultural technology, development of browsing centres, construction of student parking sheds, boundary wall and barbed wire fencing, establishment of skill centres for fine arts, music and language, construction of play grounds and boundary walls, construction of approach roads besides other significant requirements of each college were also discussed in detail.
While reviewing progress of various developmental works going on in these colleges, the Principal Secretary directed the executing agencies to expedite the pace of work on these projects for timely completion. He instructed the concerned Principals of the colleges to monitor the ongoing works in their respective colleges on regular basis so that they can be completed within the given deadlines. The Principal Secretary also asked them to utilize the assigned funds under CAPEX effectively.
He also exhorted the Principals to focus on learning outcomes, quality of instruction, student feedback and the guidelines of the New Education Policy. He advised the older colleges to mentor and handhold the newer institutions. He also advised all colleges to initiate and complete the process of NAAC accreditation at the earliest.
Later, the Principal Secretary along with Deputy Commissioner, Udhampur, Indu Kanwal Chib visited Government College for women here and took a detailed assessment of various ongoing works in the college. The Principal Secretary was also given guard of honor by the NCC cadets of the college.
During the visit to GCW, the Principal Secretary inaugurated newly constructed Canteen Block and Smart classrooms at the college. Ten digital interactive smart classrooms with interactive panels were installed for online mode of teaching during pandemic covid-19. These classrooms proved to be a great support to both teachers and learners by providing online access besides a host of other features. Teachers can also make use of these panels in manifold ways as digital blackboards visualization, map reading, showing documentaries, online access to world libraries and consultation of national and international professors.
While interacting with students of the college, Kansal inquired about the facilities being provided in the college, status of science infrastructure and sports facilities as well as quality of the canteen food products served. The Principal Secretary also inspected newly constructed classrooms, newly constructed science labs, browsing center, girls common room, staff room, medical room, IQAC, computer lab, Cosmetology lab, library etc of the college. He lauded the efforts of Principal and entire staff for exemplary work being done for the development of college. He also planted a sapling of Araucaria in Science block garden.
During the visit to college, the Principal Secretary was apprised by Principal, Prof Minu Mahajan about the overall functioning of the college. She informed that an expenditure of Rs. 48.29 lakh incurred for construction of canteen block executed by PWD (R&B) while ten smart classrooms were digitalized by installation of smart interacting panels, AC’s and allied infrastructure at an estimated cost of Rs 40.86 lakh. She also informed that canteen block has been dedicated to the students which is well equipped and maintained with latest technologies.