Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo today held a meeting with Union Secretary, Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL), Sanjay Kumar to review the ongoing education reforms in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
The discussions focused on strengthening the education system, accelerating implementation of key initiatives, improving infrastructure and learning outcomes across the UT. The meeting underscored the need to further raise the standards of school education in the UT, with a focus on bridging infrastructural gaps, streamlining human resource management and bringing out-of-school children into the mainstream education system.
Detailed deliberations were also held on aligning the education system in J&K with the vision of National Education Policy 2020, which emphasizes holistic, inclusive and skill-oriented learning. Chief Secretary underscored the importance of ensuring that reforms under NEP reach every classroom, from primary to higher education levels, and stressed on early adoption of digital tools, vocational training, and mother tongue–based foundational learning.
During the meeting, PM SHRI Schools in J&K also came up for discussion and plans were discussed for expediting the process of upgrading identified schools with modern infrastructure, smart classrooms and innovative teaching practices.
These institutions will serve as model schools of excellence, showcasing best practices in pedagogy and student engagement. Through PM SHRI schools scheme, already existing schools would be selected, strengthened, and upgraded and will aim towards delivering quality teaching to enhance the cognitive development of the students.
Union Secretary said that idea of the scheme is to create nurturing, holistic and well-rounded individuals equipped with key 21st-century skills and Centre will provide all assistance to the UT of Jammu and Kashmir in this regard.
The Union Education Secretary appreciated the efforts being made in the UT and assured full support from the Centre in implementation of both NEP and PM SHRI. He highlighted the need for capacity building of teachers, integration of technology, and a robust monitoring mechanism to ensure the desired outcomes.
Chief Secretary emphasized that these initiatives would not only enhance quality of education but also equip students from Jammu and Kashmir with skills needed to thrive in a competitive global environment.