The district-level flying squad committees that have been constituted by the School Education Department a few days back to monitor academic activities on Monday paid surprise visits to over 20 private schools in all zones of Jammu city.

During the visit, which was conducted under the supervision of the Chief Education Officer (CEO), Jammu, it was found that private schools were still functioning in violation of the government order wherein it was mentioned that schools will observe summer vacation from May 28 to July 15.

JK Sudan, CEO, Jammu, told The Tribune, “The committees have found that many private schools are still open. When we asked them the reason, the school managements told us that were not aware about the government order about summer vacation.”

“We issued a warning to these institutes. A list of 20 schools has been submitted to the Director, School Education, Jammu. The schools where the committee visited include SNS Vidya Mandir School, Delhi Public School, Banyan International School, Shiksha Niketan Higher Secondary School, Presentation Convent School, New Jagdamba School, Mohammad Ilyas Public School, GD Goenka Public School, Vishwa Bharti Public School, Vimal Vidya Public School, Shiv Public School, Play Way School, Tagore Public School, Indra Public School, Rajesh Public High School, Saleg Higher Secondary School, NGM Higher Secondary School, New National Higher Secondary School and Green Wood School,” he added.

Earlier, the Education Department had constituted two district-level flying squad committees in their respective jurisdictions in the Jammu province.

The first committee, headed by the Chief Education officer (CEO), comprises the senior-most principal of higher secondary schools in the district and zonal education officer of the area concerned.

Similarly, the second committee, headed by the principal, District Institute of Education and Trainings (DIET), includes the senior-most Head of Department, DIET, in the district and the zonal education officer of the area concerned.

The committees will ensure punctuality of teaching and non-teaching staff in schools. Their absenteeism in schools will be immediately reported by the committees for disciplinary action by the department.

The committees have been entrusted with the task to ensure that the syllabus is completed on time so that the students are well prepared for various examinations, including the board exams.

Taking note of the overall poor literacy rate in the state, the government had instructed the committees to make efforts to increase enrolment of children.

Not only the shortcomings on account of physical infrastructure and basic amenities will be reported by the committees to the authorities, they also have to identify the schools which are understaffed.

Random checking of mid-day meal scheme, ensuring proper regulation of private recognised schools and coaching centres, implementation of safety guidelines, check on anti-social elements and curbing ragging and abuse of students are the other responsibilities of the committees which have been constituted for the first time in the state.

Task cut out 

The committees have been entrusted with the task to ensure that the syllabus is completed on time so that the students are well prepared for various examinations, including the board examsRandom checking of mid-day meal scheme, ensuring proper regulation of private recognised schools and coaching centres, implementation of safety guidelines, check on anti-social elements and curbing ragging and abuse of students are the other responsibilities of the committees.