Washim collector orders action on 291 schools where no pupil is proficient in basics

Every child in Washim district must be able to learn basic reading, writing and arithmetic, District Collector Yogesh Kumbhejkar has said. He directed that effective measures, with special attention, be taken in schools classed as "zero Nipun", and said work must be planned so that the number of such schools is brought down to zero.

He was speaking at a meeting of the district-level steering committee, held in the Katepurna hall of the Collector's office under his chairmanship. It was organised jointly by the District Institute of Education and Training (DIET), Washim, and the education department of Zilla Parishad, Washim.

Chief Executive Officer Arpit Chauhan, vice-chairman of the steering committee, was present. Also attending were the committee's secretary and DIET principal Dr Rajendra Mahajan, Education Officer (Primary) Vitthal Bhusare, and DIET lecturers Dr Rajesh Gawai, Shivaji Sakhare and Sayyad. Deputy Education Officers Krushna Biradar and Vengulwar were among others present.

Kumbhejkar said a special task force has been put to work for the 291 zero Nipun schools, with block education officers made directly accountable. Centre heads and extension officers will adopt these schools and visit them every week to observe classes and give guidance.

According to the Nipun Maharashtra report, 42,549 students in 795 primary schools of Washim district were directly assessed. The district's Nipun average was 17.3 per cent, and 7,362 students were found proficient. In 291 schools, or 36.6 per cent of schools, not a single student was found proficient.

By tehsil, Karanja Lad leads with 26.6 per cent and Washim follows with 22.5 per cent. Manora, at 8.8 per cent, and Risod, at 10.7 per cent, trail. In Manora tehsil, 50 per cent of all schools have zero proficiency.

The Collector also said the Afzalpur school in Mangrulpir has achieved 100 per cent proficiency, and Karanja's Kankubai Girls' School has reached 98.33 per cent. Other schools should learn from their special teaching methods. The "Vachan Chaupal" and "Sankhya Peti" initiatives running in these schools have been particularly noteworthy.

Dr Mahajan gave the presentation at the meeting. All block education officers of the district, steering committee members, and selected centre heads and extension officers also attended. Subject expert teacher Vishwambhar Alane was present as well.