KULGAM: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kulgam, Shahzad Alam, today chaired a meeting to review the implementation and progress of the ‘Class of Joy’ initiative across schools in District Kulgam.
The meeting focused on strengthening the implementation of the programme, addressing identified gaps, improving monitoring, and ensuring better learning outcomes for students.
During the meeting, representatives of Pratham NGO presented a detailed status report on the programme, covering various key indicators, including school awareness, monitoring status, implementation at the school level, regular conduct of Classes of Joy, availability and effective utilisation of TLMs, student grouping, and maintenance of assessment records.
It was informed that the Class of Joy programme is currently being implemented in eligible Primary, Middle and High Schools across District Kulgam for students of Classes 3rd, 4th and 5th.
While appreciating the efforts of the CEO Kulgam and the concerned teams, the DC directed that monitoring reports of schools should be formally shared with the concerned schools.He further directed that appropriate action must be taken on the observations recorded during monitoring.
Emphasising that education remains one of the top priorities of the district administration, the DC informed that 60 schools have been selected for renovation during the current year. He further stated that water coolers will be provided to 160 schools this year to improve basic facilities for students.
The DC stressed that proper planning is the cornerstone of development and directed the Education Department to prepare and submit school-related development projects for approval. He emphasised that the projects should be conceptualised in a manner that ensures maximum benefit to students.
He further highlighted the importance of a conducive school environment for effective teaching and learning, stating that infrastructure development and quality education must go hand in hand. He informed that all 36 schools in Aspirational Block Manzgam will also be taken up for renovation.
While reviewing the performance indicators of the Class of Joy programme, the DC directed that performance should exceed 90 per cent across all indicators. He called for immediate identification and filling of gaps and directed that Zonal-level training programmes be organised wherever required to strengthen implementation.
The DC further informed that the endline assessment will be conducted on October 2, 2026. He directed that the performance of teachers responsible for ‘Classes of Joy’ be appropriately reflected in their Annual Performance Reports (APRs).
He also announced that the best-performing schools and teachers will be suitably rewarded in recognition of their commitment, performance and contribution towards improving learning outcomes.
While thanking the participating officers, coordinators and Pratham NGO representatives, the DC emphasised that the collective objective must be to prepare children for the future through quality education, effective teaching practices and a supportive learning environment.
The meeting was attended by the Chief Planning Officer, Malik Suheel, CEO Kulgam Fayaz Ahmad Mir, ZEOs of all six educational zones of Kulgam, District Coordinators, Zonal Coordinators, and representatives of Pratham NGO.
