Srinagar, Jan 13 (KNO): The School Education Department (SED) Tuesday decided to operationalise winter tutorials in government schools during the academic session 2025-26 for Classes 9th to 12th.
According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) in an order said that the decision was taken in view of the prevailing academic requirements and with the objective of addressing
subject-specific learning gaps among students at the Secondary and Senior Secondary levels.
“In continuation to verbal directions already conveyed on the subject, all Chief Education Officers are directed to ensure the effective implementation of Winter Tutorials in Government Schools, strictly in accordance
with the prescribed guidelines,” it reads.
DSEK said that the winter tutorials shall be organised exclusively for students of Classes 9th to 12th,
based on academic needs and availability of competent teachers.
“Winter Tutorial Centres shall be established in centrally located and easily accessible schools, so as to cater for the maximum number of students from the respective catchment areas,” it reads.
The directorate further said that preference shall be given to institutions having adequate infrastructure, heating arrangements and ICT facilities.
It also said that the enrolment of students shall be subject to mandatory parental consent and declaration.
DSEK said that the prescribed Student-Teacher Ratio (STR) shall be 1:45 for Classes 11th-12th, 1:40 for Classes 9th-10th.
“Engagement of teachers shall be planned in such a manner that one teacher handles one subject, with a minimum enrollment of 35 students per subject,” it reads.
It also said that the experienced and meritorious lecturers, masters or teachers shall be deployed from within the school, cluster or complex, giving due consideration to experience, subject expertise, pedagogical competence, and student acceptability.
“Teaching-learning activities shall focus primarily on remedial instruction and
consolidation of core concepts, rather than syllabus completion,” reads the order.
The directorate said that emphasis shall be laid on addressing learning deficits identified through classroom interaction and assessment.
“The officers or the officials engaged in Winter Tutorials shall be considered for incentives under Rule 27 of the J&K Civil Services (Leave) Rules, 1979, subject to
certification by the respective DDO, CEOs, Joint Directors and verification by
the teams constituted at Directorate level,” the order reads.
It also said that proper arrangements for heating, seating and basic amenities shall be ensured by
the respective Heads of Institutions (HOIs).
DSEK further said that the operational timing of Winter Tutorials shall be 11:o0 AM to 3:00 PM, unless
otherwise notified by the Directorate.
It added all deployed staff shall remain present for the entire scheduled duration and teaching-learning activities shall commence immediately upon establishment of
the centres.
“DIETs shall conduct periodic academic reviews of the Winter Tutorial Centres and provide on-site support, including demonstration classes and mentoring. Weekly intervention reports shall be submitted by DIETs to the Directorate through the proper channel," the department added—(KNO)