Could Govt Schools Become Parents’ Top Choice in the Future?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Enhancement of government schools is a priority for the J&K government.
- Education and health are fundamental for societal development.
- Collaboration among education stakeholders is essential for quality improvement.
- Hybrid Learning Centres will provide better access to education.
- Actionable points for educational development will be proposed post-meeting.
Srinagar, Aug 19 (NationPress) During a comprehensive educational stakeholders meeting regarding NEP 2020 on Tuesday, J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah stressed the importance of enhancing government schools to a level where parents view them as the premier choice for their children's futures.
While addressing educators, principals, chief education officers, lecturers, teachers, and students, the Chief Minister remarked that the education and health sectors are pivotal for the advancement of any society globally.
He noted that as soon as this elected government assumed office, significant focus has been directed towards the education and health sectors in Jammu and Kashmir.
“I consistently state that everything else should be set aside. Without education and health, we possess nothing. We construct roads, build bridges, establish factories, provide electricity, and attract tourists. If we lack education to leverage these benefits, if we are weak or unwell, we cannot gain from these opportunities,” he stated.
The Chief Minister further asserted that education holds the transformative power for any society. He urged all education stakeholders to dedicate themselves to raising government schools to a standard that assures parents that enrolling their children there is a wise decision for their futures.
Quoting Nobel Peace Laureate Nelson Mandela, who said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world,” the Chief Minister highlighted the profound significance of this statement and encouraged all involved in the education sector to adopt it as their guiding principle.
Emphasizing other facets of the education sector, he called upon the education community to view service in remote areas as an opportunity for contribution rather than a burden.
He also urged stakeholders to establish additional Hybrid Learning Centres in remote regions, allowing students access to specialized teachers from anywhere.
On this occasion, the Chief Minister called for discussions surrounding the challenges faced during the implementation of NEP-2020 over the past five years, encouraging deliberation on platforms like this to implement necessary corrective measures.
In highlighting the importance of this stakeholders' meeting, the Chief Minister encouraged participants to present approximately 10 actionable points to the government post-meeting, which will serve as a roadmap for advancing the education sector across Jammu and Kashmir.
During the event, Minister for Education Sakeena Itoo remarked that education is the foundation for measuring development in any region. She emphasized that this stakeholders' meeting provides a unique opportunity for dialogue aimed at improving various aspects of the education system.
On the sidelines, the Chief Minister also e-inaugurated a Hybrid Learning Centre consisting of 12 interconnected schools at GBHSS Jawahar Nagar, aimed at enhancing live interactive classes and hybrid learning methods.
Additionally, he e-inaugurated 19 educational infrastructure projects valued at Rs. 39.1 crores across various districts in the Kashmir division.
On the occasion, Omar Abdullah distributed appointment letters to several individuals recruited under SRO-43, RRET, and CPW categories. He also launched a book titled ‘UDAAN’ (Bhasha Ke Rang Shiksha Ke Sang), a multilingual children’s resource developed by the Jammu and Kashmir State Council of Educational Research and Training (JKSCERT).