The Haryana Education Department has designated additional deputy commissioners (ADCs) as nodal officers for all government schools in the state, granting them authority to supervise, monitor, and control school operations. This move aims to enhance accountability and streamline the implementation of educational programs and infrastructure projects.
Scope of Responsibilities for ADCs
According to a letter issued by the department, each district's ADC will act on behalf of the School Education Department. Their duties include overseeing civil works such as constructing functional toilets, ensuring clean drinking water, building boundary walls, and addressing waterlogging issues. They must also ensure that no students occupy unsafe buildings and that the condemnation process for such structures is expedited.
Health, Sanitation, and Mid-Day Meals
ADCs are tasked with supervising cleanliness and the preparation of mid-day meals. This includes monitoring health and sanitation conditions, campus cleanliness, toilet hygiene, water tank maintenance, tree pruning, playground upkeep, and the quality of raw materials used for meals.
Digital Infrastructure and Scheme Implementation
The officers will ensure the upkeep and proper use of digital tools like digital boards, computers, and tablets. They will also review the implementation of all government schemes related to school education, assess teaching quality, attendance, and discipline, and handle any additional tasks assigned by the department.
Team Formation and Reporting Structure
The Education Department stated that ADCs may form teams to enforce these directives. District education officers, elementary education officers, deputy district education officers, district project coordinators, block education officers, and principals will report to the ADCs on matters within this scope.
An official from the Education Department commented, "Recently, a senior official, during a visit to government schools, had indicated that the ADCs in the state would soon begin monitoring government schools to ensure their smooth functioning and the better implementation of programmes. The letter has now been issued, assigning various responsibilities and duties to the ADCs." The official added, "The Education Department requires support from other departments to complete various works in government schools, especially the process of condemning unsafe buildings. With the intervention of the ADCs, this work can be completed as a priority. It will help the Education Department ensure the smooth functioning of schools."
