1.      E-Governance initiatives in Higher Secondary Education Department

The Directorate has always been in the forefront of the state government’s efforts for achieving overall development by utilizing the resources of IT.A handful of e-governance initiatives viz, Single Window Admission Process, Central Admission Registry, Online Teacher Transfer, Text book Indenting, Scholarship Schemes etc contributes much to the efficiency and transparency of the functioning of the organization.

Higher Secondary centralized Allotment Process (hsCap)

hsCAP, popularly known as Single Window Admission is now looked upon as a brilliant example of IT intervention for eliminating corruption and establishing social justice in  the admission process with optimum transparency and efficiency. Apart from being a centralized allotment process for merit seats it has been functioning as the pivot around which many departmental activities like Central Admission Registry, Nominal Roll for Examinations, Staff Fixation etc revolve.   The system bagged two national awards and one state award for its unmatched performance: CSI-Nihilent Award 2008-09,       National e-governance Award 2009-10, Kerala State e-governance Award 2009.

The following is the Vision-Mission statement of the Directorate developed in a TNA workshop and validated by officials like Govt. Secretary, Director, IMG, Director HSE way back in 2004.  Ever since it has been used in all official documents.

VISION:

A central agency of the State Govt. seeking to promote all-round excellence in Higher Secondary Education by establishing appropriate philosophies, adequate institutional net work, effective administrative systems and well-qualified, competent and motivated staff necessary to carry out academic and administrative responsibilities.

MISSION:

To serve as a professional institution in formulating and maintaining the standards of Higher Secondary Education and in providing need based, timely, scientific, effective and sustainable services to the students and teachers at the Higher Secondary level.

a. E-governance for conducting Examinations.

Computerisation of examination wing started in the year 2001. Almost all the activities in examination branch, from registration of candidates to publication of results are done online through Department Web portal.

b. SPARK.

The department has successfully implemented the SPARK application to manage the Employee Payroll and Administrative activities of all schools and offices under the department. All the staff including gazatted officers of the department generate salary bill through SPARK.

2.Kalakshethra

Education aims at balanced development of all the aspects of one’s personality. With this aim, Department of Higher Secondary Education ha initiated a programme “Kalakshethra” for the Higher Secondary students. Kalaksethra is a district training centre where special training/ coaching will be given to artistically talented but financially backward students. Training is imparted to students in Fine Arts, Music and Dance.

3.Merit Cum Means Scholarship

As part of Social Welfare Measures, Government  of Kerala has introduced a comprehensive scholarship scheme of the Higher Secondary lelvel for the meritorious students belonging to BPL families. 9000 scholarships are being equally apportioned among plus one and Plus Two students. Each scholarship carries Rs.5,000/- per annum. Out of the 9000 scholarship, 7600 numbers will be for the students of general category. 1200 numbers for students belonging to Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe communities and 200 numbers for students excelling in Arts/Sports and students of differentially abled categories.

4. Remedial Coaching

Remedial coaching is  implemented to give special coaching to weak students in selected Government Higher Secondary Schools having pass percentage below 50.

5. National Service Scheme

NSS provides platform for leadership practice life-skill acquisition etc and help the volunteers learn how to live among others. Thus experience in NSS leads to construction of knowledge in the mind of the volunteer and help to bring about positive change in social perspective, creative thinking and positive attitude making them self reliant, self confident and self respecting. Thus its programmes offer practical experience for personality development and character building emphasizing the emotional quotient of the youth learner.

Directorate of Higher Secondary Education has 400 NSS units with a volunteer strength of 40,000 spread across the State. Each volunteer performs 240 hours social service in two years and attends special camp of 7 days duration. They convene meeting, attend conference, participate in National Integration Camps and organize them. Various community development programmes and the following special programmes such as.

1. AKSHARAM - Literacy Programme
2. KRISHIKOOTOM – Organic farming & Food security Programme
3. SAHAYANAM – Socio Cultural Mix programme
4. JALAYANAM – Water Conservation & Water source preservation programme aiming millennium goals of The United Nation Organization
5. JAIVADHARA – Wet land conservation and Bio-diversity enrichment Programme
6. ARANYAKAM – Tree Plantation Programme aiming reduction of global warming
7. UNARVU – Disaster preparedness and Management Training Programme
8. LIFE BLOOD - Bleed a bit for your Brethern - Blood Donation programme
9. VELICHAM – Eye Donation Programme
10. USHASS – Cleaning programme
11. SUCHITHWA BHAVANAM – Health and Hygiene Programme
12. Tribal Development programmes
13. National Integration Programmes
14. Adolescent Education Programme
15. Career Guidance Programmes
16. NERVAZHI – Road Safety Programme – Aiming a new road culture are being organized and implemented by the NSS cell through its 400 units across the state during the year.

6. Career Guidance and Counselling

There are 789 Career Guidance and Counselling Units in Higher Secondary Schools throughout the State. The objectives of the unit are

• To help students to choose and proceed on an optimal career path, based on the students ability, desire and available opportunities.
• To help the students to obtain an orientation to the employment sector and develop transferable skills such as effective communication, leadership, teamwork and management so that they will become productive and efficient members of the work force.

7. Adolescent Counselling and Health Care Programme.

Under Adolescent Counselling and Health care programme, Souhrida clubs are formed in Higher Secondary Schools. The objective of the Souhrida clubs is to improve the physical, academic, social and interpersonal skills of the adolescents and to lead them towards a successful adult hood. Souhrida clubs is conducting awareness classes on physical, mental, and social issues faced by the students. At present there are 140 Souhrida Clubs functioning throughout the state.