Port Blair, July 24: PAHAL Plus (Plan for Attaining Holistic Learning & Achieving Learning Outcomes), an initiative for improvement of learning outcomes was launched in A&N Islands today. Admiral DK Joshi, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, NM, VSM (Retd), Hon'ble Lt. Governor, A&N Islands and Vice Chairman, Islands Development Agency inaugurated the PAHAL Plus in Isles, an initiative of the Education Department, at a function held in the DBRAIT auditorium here today. The Chief Secretary, A&N Administration, Shri Keshav Chandra, IAS, DGP, Shri Devesh Chandra Srivastva, IPS Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Shri Nikhil Kumar,IAS, PCCF, Dr. T.S. Ashok Kumar,IFS Adhyaksh, ZPSA, Shri Sanjay Kumar Singh, Chairperson, PBMC, Smti S. Selvi, senior officers of the Administration and school students were present on the occasion.

Addressing the gathering, the Lt. Governor congratulated the Education Department on the launch of PAHAL Plus, an initiative of the Education Department towards realization of the vision of the Hon'ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi of a developed India-'Viksit Bharat', in the Amrit Kaal of India's Independence. Based on smart digital technology and student centric programme, this initiative of PAHAL Plus will improve the learning outcome of 18000 students of primary classes studying in 330 Govt. Schools in A&N Islands. Apart from this, PAHAL Plus is also an important step towards creating a knowledge based society of our country, the Lt Governor said.

The Lt. Governor further stated that the A&N Administration is implementing the National Education Policy in A&N Islands. This NEP has enabled the Administration move one step further from 'Right to Education' to 'Right to Learning'. The Lt. Governor said that it is a matter of great pride that 10 schools of A&N Islands have been selected by the Education Ministry under the Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM-SHRI). These selected schools will fulfil all the parameters of the NEP-2020 and will be exemplary schools to act as a role model for the other schools in their vicinity, the Lt. Governor said.

The Lt. Governor hoped that through these progressive initiatives, and fourth Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of the United Nation, which is quality of education, we shall be able to establish the country as a developed nation. The Lt. Governor concluded his speech by exhorting the students, teachers and parents to attain the goal of quality education for the prosperity of our society and development of our Nation.

In his address on the occasion, the Chief Secretary, A&N Administration, Shri Keshav Chandra said the PAHAL Plus initiative has been launched under the guidance of the Lt. Governor A&N Islands for improving quality of education in the schools of A&N Islands. The Education Department has always remained in the forefront in providing quality education to the students, better infrastructures in schools and ensuring all-round development of the students.

The Chief Secretary emphasised that the teachers must ensure that the students of class 1 to 5 are able to read the textbooks properly and are able to do basic maths. With a sound basic education at the primary level, the students will be able to compete in other exams in future, the Chief Secretary remarked. The Chief Secretary congratulated the Commissioner-cum-Secretary and the Secretary Education for their efforts in implementing the PAHAL Plus in A&N Islands in a time bound manner. The Chief Secretary said that our goal should be to mould the student in such a way that they not only achieve success in their personal lives but are also able to contribute in nation building.

Earlier, welcoming the chief guest and others present on the occasion, the Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Shri Nikhil Kumar stated that the Education Department provides quality education across the length & breadth of the Islands, through a network of 329 government schools and private educational institutions. Learning Outcomes is one of the top most priority areas for Education Department and last year, it had initiated seminal efforts on mission-mode to bridge the learning gap and increase the learning outcomes at all levels across different subjects.

He further said, to overcome the learning gaps in a systematic and scientific manner, a comprehensive Portal called PAHAL (Plan for Attaining Holistic Learning and Achieving Learning Outcomes) has been developed for need-based remedial interventions for the students. Through this portal, the performance of each student was tracked and data was collected for the learning gaps in various subjects like English, Maths, Social Studies, Science etc at different levels. Remedial classes were organized for the students to enhance their learnings. This year, the Education Department has revamped the PAHAL initiative as PAHAL Plus, with various positive and transformative changes, he said.

The Commissioner-cum-Secretary said, progress of learning outcomes of all the children is being assessed by the team of Teachers in each cluster and the results of this detailed assessment will be declared by the 8th of next month through the upgraded version of the portal 'Pahal Plus'. This forms the basis of the monthly report card of children, as well as teachers. The performance of each student will also be discussed in the Parent Teachers Meeting on the 4th Saturday of every month. Customized remedial classes and reading material will also be provided by the teachers, he said.

PAHAL Plus project focuses on continuous monitoring and evaluation of student's performance, timely and need-based remedial interventions, involvement of teachers and parents in addressing the gap areas and systematic and objective progress assessment. Through these end-to-end measures and intensive monitoring, the PAHAL Plus initiative will go a long way in helping the Department achieve the goals of the 'NIPUN Bharat Mission', he said adding that PAHAL Plus is only one of the several transformative efforts being undertaken by the Education Department to ensure the quality education. Under the Govt of India scheme, Department is going to establish 'Vidya Samiksha Kendras', which will provide a paradigm shift in the monitoring of each and every spectrum of learning. The department is also working on creating online teaching material for all subjects for all classes, which will be available to the students through dedicated channels, as well as social media platforms.

The inaugural function concluded with the vote of thanks proposed by the Secretary Education, Shri Yash Chaudhary, IAS.