Students without UID not be counted in sixth working day headcount

The Hindu

7 hours ago

Children who do not have UID (Unique Identity Number) will not be considered for fixing student enrolment data on the basis of the sixth working day headcount that is used to determine the number of staff positions in an academic year.
At a press conference here on Monday, Minister for General Education V. Sivankutty and Director of General Education (DGE) Shanavas S. said time was usually given to correct errors in students' names. However, if a student did not have a UID, it could mean that student was enrolled in some other school. This could lead to counting of the particular student twice while determining the headcount of students.
The Minister said June 10 was the sixth working day as schools reopened this year on June 2. The details of students in government, aided, and unaided recognised schools on the basis of the sixth working day this academic year were being collected online on the Sampoorna web portal.
The DGE said there was no hurdle in getting UIDs if proper documents were submitted in an Akshaya centre. 'UIDs can be taken anytime after a child turns five years old. Not doing so despite being given ample time is not believable,' the DGE said.
Day against drug abuse
The Minister said June 26 was International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking and the General Education department was organising elaborate promotional programmes in connection with it. The Chief Minister would participate in one of the programmes. A year-long project that included seminars and special assembly would be launched to create awareness of the drug menace among students. The half-an-hour increase in school timings would be implemented next week. A circular on how to rearrange school timings would be issued soon, the Minister said.
On Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act cases against teachers, the Minister alleged that appointing authorities were reluctant to act against the accused. After the DGE was entrusted with taking action in such cases, nine were sacked and procedures were under way in 17 cases. Notice had been issued to deputy directors of education who were not taking action in such cases, the Minister said.
Academic master plan
The DGE said that on the directives of the Chief Minister, the department planned to hold a consultation with stakeholders such as teachers' organisations, parents, and education experts on the academic master plan. The focus would be on strategies to cope with addiction to digital devices, ragging, and other challenges, besides academic support to be given to students. A half-day programme would be held at Mascot Hotel on June 21. The recommendations that come up would be used to give guidelines to schools for preparing their own master plans.