JAMMU: The State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), Jammu and Kashmir, on Monday began a two-day orientation programme for educational functionaries to strengthen competency-based assessment and address learning gaps identified through Rashtriya Sarvekshan.
The programme, titled “Reforming Assessment Practices through Holistic Progress Cards to Address Rashtriya Sarvekshan Findings with Competency-Based Assessment”, is being held at Kissan Kendra, Talab Tillo, in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and national curricular frameworks.
Commissioner Secretary, Education, Ram Niwas Sharma, presided over the inaugural session, while Director School Education Jammu and Director SCERT J&K, Dr Naseem Javaid Chowdhary, attended as guest of honour.
Sharma stressed the need to move away from rote memorisation and examination-oriented instruction towards conceptual understanding, critical thinking and the practical application of knowledge. He also called on educational administrators and institutional heads to ensure effective implementation of assessment reforms and promote continuous improvement in schools.
Chowdhary highlighted the role of educational leadership in translating national policy provisions into institutional practices. She emphasised systematic academic planning, professional capacity-building and evidence-based interventions to address learning gaps and improve educational outcomes.
Rakesh Kumar Chobber, the programme coordinator, outlined the objectives of the orientation, stressing the importance of learner-centred, formative and competency-based assessment.
The programme brought together Chief Education Officers, principals of District Institutes of Education and Training, and Zonal Education Officers from Jammu Division. Technical sessions covered NEP 2020 implementation, national curricular frameworks, Holistic Progress Cards, assessment reforms, digital progress cards and findings of Rashtriya Sarvekshan.
During the inaugural proceedings, SCERT presented three academic publications to the Commissioner Secretary: SAMVAAD, a compendium on NEP 2020 implementation for Jammu Division, and the Talent Acceleration Programme (TAP). The council also launched मनस्पर्श (MANSPARSH) 2026, a World Mental Health Awareness Quiz on the DIKSHA platform, developed by SCERT’s DIKSHA Coordinator Vivek Jandial.
The event featured an exhibition of educational resources and academic publications developed by SCERT. Two educators, Mohd Ayaz Raina, Lecturer in Botany at Government Higher Secondary School Dalhori in Rajouri, and Kuldeep Gupta, Lecturer in Zoology at Government High School Jindrah in Jammu, were felicitated for their professional contributions.
The technical sessions were conducted by SCERT faculty members Rajesh Hali, Monica Sharma, Rakesh Kumar Chobber and Manu Vasudeva, along with Shahnawaz Gani, Teacher Educator at DIET Ramban.
Professor Sindhu Kapoor, Joint Director, SCERT J&K, Divisional Office Jammu, highlighted the importance of the orientation in building a common understanding of evolving assessment practices and strengthening institutional efforts to improve school education.