One-day orientation focuses on bridging learning gaps, enhancing pedagogical practices, and aligning with NEP 2020 to achieve holistic student development
SRINAGAR: The District Institute of Education and Training (DIET), Srinagar, associated with DIET–SCERT Kashmir, organised a one-day orientation programme on “Post PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024: Interventional Plan & Role of Stakeholder Engagement in Improving Learning Outcomes” on January 1, 2026. The programme brought together senior administrators, academicians, assessment experts and school leaders to deliberate on assessment reforms and pedagogical transformation in line with the vision of NEP 2020.
At the outset, Mr. Naseer Ahmad Wani, Director School Education, Kashmir (DSEK), highlighted the importance of PARAKH as a diagnostic rather than judgmental assessment tool. He emphasised that collaboration among all stakeholders is key to improving learning outcomes and reviewed concrete action points for cluster heads, ZEOs, principals, headmasters and representatives of private schools. He underlined that a foundation-level study in March would be conducted to systematically prepare learners for upcoming assessments.
The programme formally commenced with a welcome address by Mr. Ghulam Mohindin Bhat, CEO Srinagar and Principal DIET, who set the tone for the day by stressing the need to use PARAKH findings as a roadmap for systemic improvement in learning outcomes across public and private schools of the district. Aligning education with the Viksit Bharat Sankalp, he stated that classrooms must prioritise critical thinking, innovation, entrepreneurship, green skills, digital literacy and social-emotional learning. Referring to the PARAKH dashboard, he expressed concern over comparatively low learning levels in Jammu & Kashmir—particularly in Srinagar—despite improved infrastructure, ed-tech exposure, coaching culture and parental engagement. He strongly advocated teacher capacity building, especially at the FLN and preparatory levels, and emphasised empowering school leaders with contemporary pedagogical frameworks.
In his address, Dr. Fayaz Ahmad Bhat, Senior Administrative Officer and Head, Planning & Monitoring, called for a decisive shift from content-centric teaching to competency-based teaching–learning processes. He shared the programme’s concept note and focused on transforming schools into centres of excellence and learning organisations, equipped with 21st-century skills.
Ms. Anjum Raja, PARAKH Nodal Officer for District Srinagar, presented the PARAKH report card, offering a comparative analysis at national and UT levels, and proposed suggestive intervention strategies aimed at bridging learning gaps and improving learning outcomes.
Addressing the gathering, Prof. Seema Naz, Principal, IASE Srinagar, highlighted NEP 2020-aligned pedagogical interventions, with emphasis on innovative practices such as experiential learning, activity-based learning (ABL) and ICT-integrated pedagogies. She raised critical concerns regarding learning gaps and learning deficits, substantiating her observations with key data.
Prof. Tasleema Jan, Dean, School of Education & Behavioural Sciences, University of Kashmir, focused on constructivist approaches to education. She underscored the importance of continuous professional development (CPD) and collaborative practices among educators to build a progressive learning society as envisaged under NEP 2020.
The panel discussion, chaired by Prof. Tasleema Jan, examined PARAKH as a major reform in India’s assessment system, highlighting how PARAKH insights can be effectively utilised for mentoring and CPD planning in both pre-service and in-service teacher education.
During the discussion, Dr. Arif Jan, Deputy Director, JKBOSE Bemina, addressed governance challenges arising from fragmented boards and unequal assessment standards across the country and within J&K. He stressed the urgent need to adopt common standards and blueprints available on the PARAKH dashboard and ensure their dissemination across schools.
Mr. Ghulam Hassan Rishi, UT Nodal Officer for PARAKH, highlighted that PARAKH represents a significant reform in India’s assessment system. He emphasised the importance of the Holistic Progress Card (HPC) and also spoke about digital HPC, which has already been rolled out in PM SHRI schools across Jammu & Kashmir. He assured that assessment reforms in J&K will increasingly focus on measuring what truly matters in learning and will lead to sustained improvement in student learning outcomes over time.
Representing private schools, Dr. Nazrul Islam Baba, President, Private School Association, cautioned against the practice of “teaching to the test.” He advocated a shift from mere content coverage to competency-based learning, encompassing knowledge, cognitive domains, skills, values and attitudes for holistic learner development across both public and private sectors. Further thanked the government for acknowledging private sector as their knowledge partners
Ms. Anjum Raja further highlighted the cluster/complex mechanism, noting that J&K is the first in the country to implement this model at scale. She expressed optimism that strong pedagogical leadership by complex heads can transform assessment practices and, in turn, improve learning outcomes.
Mr. Sheikh Gulzar, FLN Nodal Officer and Senior Academic Officer, SCERT, emphasised that assessment reform must be treated as a governance priority. He called for the preparation of balanced question papers aligned with item banks developed by SCERT.
The programme concluded with a shared resolve among all stakeholders to move beyond traditional pedagogical patterns and adopt innovative, learner-centric pedagogies aligned with NEP 2020, using PARAKH insights as a catalyst for sustained improvement in learning outcomes across Jammu & Kashmir.
In the concluding session, officers and participants appreciated the efforts of DIET Srinagar for the successful organisation of the programme. Special appreciation was extended to Ms. Tanveera Jan, Head of CMD Wing, Mr. MD Shafi, and other faculty members of DIET Srinagar. The contribution and support of SCERT J&K, particularly Mr. Riyaz Ahmad Dar, Estate Officer, along with the dedicated efforts of teaching and non-teaching staff of DIET Srinagar including Asima Farooq and Lubna Khan for moderation and Dr. Mateen Yousuf for technical support were also acknowledged for ensuring the smooth conduct and overall success of the programme.