PAIGAM brings parents, teachers together across 3,561 schools

Srinagar, Aug 09: Minister for Education, Sakeena Masood Itoo, led a massive Parent-Teacher Meeting (PTM) across all schools in the Kashmir Division on Saturday to strengthen community involvement in education.The event, organised by the Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) under its flagship PAIGAM initiative “Policy Action & Implementation for Growth and Awareness in Mentoring NEP-2020 – From Policy to Practice”, set a new record with participation from nearly 2.94 lakh teachers, parents, students, and community members across 3,561 schools.Addressing the gathering at Higher Secondary School DK Marg in Kulgam, Minister Itoo highlighted the importance of shared responsibility in education. “When parents, teachers, and communities work together, every child wins,” she asserted, adding that the government is committed to ensuring a participatory and inclusive learning environment.The PTMs, conducted simultaneously across the division, aimed to review student progress, promote parental involvement, and engage civil society in school improvement efforts. The events followed guidelines issued by DSEK to ensure coordinated, district-wide participation, with cluster and complex heads overseeing the process.Director School Education Kashmir, Dr G.N. Itoo highlighted the significance of the initiative, stating, “The PAIGAM initiative is not just an event; it’s a movement to translate NEP-2020’s vision into tangible classroom actions.” The programme featured a series of interactive activities, including welcome addresses, briefings on NEP-2020, parent-teacher consultations, and student-led presentations such as project exhibitions and debates.Local leaders, NGOs, retired educators, and local influencers contributed ideas focused on improving the learning environment, promoting environmental consciousness, and addressing youth issues like drug abuse. Parents provided feedback through suggestion boxes and forms, ensuring their voices are incorporated into ongoing school development.Officials documented the events meticulously with attendance registers and Action Taken Reports (ATR) to monitor progress and ensure accountability. Senior officials, including Joint Directors, Project Officers, CEOs, and ZEOs, participated actively to ensure inclusivity and effective follow-up.