DC Budgam Holds Review Meeting to Improve Education Sector in the District

The Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Budgam, Akshay Labroo, recently chaired a comprehensive review meeting focused on the education sector across the district. The meeting brought together key officials including Zonal Education Officers (ZEOs), heads of institutions, and district-level education authorities to assess the current status of schools and strategise improvements. Special attention was given to

I chose to write about this development because district-level reviews often go unnoticed despite playing a big role in shaping ground-level education outcomes. Budgam is a region where infrastructure challenges, seasonal hardships, and accessibility issues can directly affect school functioning. By examining how such review meetings are conducted and what actions are proposed, we get a clearer picture of whether policy at the top is truly reaching the classrooms. It’s important that these initiatives are tracked and discussed so that both the administration and the public remain focused on improving the state of education for all children, especially in underdeveloped areas.

Key Highlights of the Education Sector Review in Budgam

During the meeting, the DC expressed serious concern over low attendance figures in several government schools. He instructed the education officers to take concrete steps to ensure regular student attendance and improve academic discipline.

Some major points discussed included:

Monitoring student and teacher attendance through digital tools
Improving learning outcomes by conducting monthly assessments
Ensuring all schools maintain cleanliness and basic hygiene
Immediate repair of school buildings and toilet facilities where needed
Addressing shortage of teaching staff in remote areas

The DC also encouraged headmasters to involve local communities, especially parents, in the functioning of schools. He stressed that active participation from the community can help build accountability in the education system.

Push for Better Infrastructure and Accountability

One of the issues raised in the review was the lack of proper infrastructure in some schools. This includes broken toilets, shortage of desks, and lack of heating arrangements in winter months. The DC directed the concerned departments to prioritise urgent repair work and make use of available government funds to address these gaps.

To ensure accountability, the officers were asked to carry out surprise inspections and submit monthly progress reports. Performance of ZEOs and headmasters will be reviewed based on student learning outcomes and the overall condition of their schools.

Importance of Community Involvement

In an encouraging move, the DC advised officials to strengthen the role of Village Education Committees (VECs). These committees, when active, can monitor how the school is functioning on a day-to-day basis.

He also suggested organising regular parent-teacher meetings, which many government schools tend to neglect. Such meetings can help improve student attendance and encourage better communication between teachers and parents.

Focus on Primary and Middle Schools

A large part of the discussion also focused on the primary and middle school levels. The DC highlighted that unless children get a strong foundation in their early years, improvements at higher secondary levels will not yield meaningful results.

Special focus was given to:

Improving language and arithmetic skills at the primary level
Timely supply of textbooks and learning material
Training for newly posted teachers
Involving students in co-curricular activities to increase school engagement

Education and Employment Can Transform Society: Dinesh Gundu Rao Highlights the Way Forward

During a recent public address in Mangaluru, Karnataka’s Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao stressed that education and employment are two powerful tools that can shape the future of any society. He pointed out that when people are educated and have meaningful jobs, they can rise above social divisions, poverty, and other long-standing issues. His statement came while addressing students and faculty at a function organised at Srinivas University, where he also touched on the importance of knowledge-driven growth.

I felt the need to write about this because it’s rare to hear such a strong political focus on the link between education, employment and overall societal transformation. We often hear about schemes, budgets and infrastructure, but rarely is the bigger picture discussed—how these two sectors can change the life of a common person. This topic matters to all of us, especially the youth, who are navigating a fast-changing job market while also dealing with rising academic pressure. By writing about this, I hope more people start thinking seriously about how education is not just about degrees, and employment is not just about money—it’s about dignity, stability and progress.

Why Education and Employment Matter Together

Education and employment are often treated as separate issues, but in reality, they go hand-in-hand. Education gives people the ability to think, create and contribute. Employment gives them the opportunity to apply what they know, support their families, and be part of the economy. According to Dinesh Gundu Rao, these two pillars must be developed together if we want a fairer and more productive society.

He stressed that:

Lack of access to education pushes people into poverty.
Unemployment leads to frustration, crime, and brain drain.
A society that fails to create job-ready youth will always remain unequal.

This is why investing in schools, colleges, and job-oriented courses is not just a policy decision—it’s a moral responsibility.

Government’s Role in Creating Equal Opportunities

During the event, Rao mentioned that governments should focus not only on building schools and colleges but also on ensuring the quality of education. He said students from rural areas often struggle because they don’t have the same access to English-medium teaching or computer labs as those in urban areas. This kind of inequality reflects in the job market too, where rural youth get fewer chances.

He also pointed out that:

Many graduates remain unemployed or underemployed because they are not industry-ready.
There is a big gap between what is taught in classrooms and what the job market demands.
Career counselling and vocational training should start at the school level.

According to him, if we want to see real change, we need long-term thinking and serious government commitment—not just one-time policies or election promises.

Importance of Social Harmony for Progress

One of the key messages Rao delivered was about unity. He said education should be a tool to unite people and not divide them. The minister raised concern about how communalism and polarisation are slowly taking attention away from important issues like job creation and educational reform.

He added that:

When youth are unemployed, they are more vulnerable to divisive ideologies.
Education can help people develop critical thinking and tolerance.
A strong education and employment ecosystem reduces dependence on populist politics.

He urged young people to stay informed, ask questions, and focus on real-life issues rather than distractions.