GANGTOK: A capacity-building workshop was conducted at the auditorium of Tashi Namgyal Higher Secondary School in Gangtok on September 21.
The workshop was organised by Samagra Shiksha, in collaboration with Bhoomi Educational Consultancy, under the CMs Mentorship Programme. The event was graced by Mr Raju Basnet, Minister of the Education Department, as the chief guest.
The program was also attended by Mr R Telang, Additional Chief Secretary, Mr Tashi Chopel, Secretary of School Education, Principal Director, Directors, Chief Education Officers from 6 districts, Heads of Institutions from all 211 schools of Sikkim, and Officers and staff of the Education Department.
In his speech, Mr Raju Basnet, Minister of Education, stressed on the importance of the topic under discussion. He mentioned that despite the government’s efforts to improve education in Sikkim through policy initiatives, the results fell short due to various factors.
To address this challenge, the Chief Minister’s Mentorship Programme for board exams has been introduced, he said.
The goal of this initiative is to achieve a 100% pass rate in the upcoming exams. The Chief Minister officially launched this program on Teachers’ Day in 2024, emphasising that the department will keep working until the 100% pass rate is achieved, it was informed.
Additionally, the Minister urged the heads of institutions to play a leading role in achieving this goal, emphasising that their determination is crucial to its success. He also encouraged teachers to help reduce students’ exam-related anxieties, using personal experience to highlight the importance of dedicated educators in guiding students through challenges.
The success of “Sunaulo Sikkim” (Golden Sikkim) and “Samridha Sikkim” (Prosperous Sikkim) initiatives depends on the active involvement of all stakeholders. The Minister assured that the support of all Sikkim legislators will be sought, encouraging them to serve as patrons in their respective constituencies to ensure that students taking the exams receive comprehensive support.
In his presentation, the Additional Chief Secretary outlined the goal of achieving a 100% pass rate in Class 10, which stemmed from last year’s results. He acknowledged the difficulty of this task, especially after the first term’s outcomes. However, he expressed confidence in the educators and school principals, citing their expertise in conducting elections as a testament to their skills. He expressed his belief that with proper focus, they can lead their students to success.
He emphasised that achieving this goal could have a significant impact on Sikkim’s history, setting a standard for the education community and fostering competition and collaboration among schools.
Mr Telang emphasised that the next four months—October to January—are crucial. Initiatives such as identifying students’ weaknesses and providing targeted support in subjects where they’re struggling should be prioritised. He added that the aim should not be a perfect score right away but to raise minimum standards and build a strong foundation.
The Secretary of School Education in his address, stressed the crucial need for active engagement and collaboration among all stakeholders to improve academic outcomes in educational institutions. He highlighted the importance of making concerted efforts to ensure students’ academic success and emphasised the need to identify and provide additional support to students with specific needs. The Secretary expressed sincere appreciation to the esteemed resource persons and gratitude for their unwavering dedication.
Additionally, he appreciated the Minister’s unwavering support and strongly urged all Heads of Institutions to participate in the upcoming winter coaching centers. The Minister’s prioritization of this program over other commitments highlights the significance of collaborative efforts, for which the department is deeply grateful, he concluded.
Earlier, the welcome address was presented by Mr AD Chettri, Assistant Director, Samagrah Siksha.
The program also included key sessions on familiarising and sensitising principals to pedagogical, inspiring, and empowering leadership roles and responsibilities. These sessions were conducted by resource persons from Bhoomi Educational Consultancy.
Ms Mamta Dadhich from Bhoomi Educational Consultancy proposed her vote of thanks.
- IPR
