Srinagar, July 22, KDC: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today outlined the need for the widespread, inclusive and locally adaptable implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, called it a visionary document, whose success depends on its understanding and execution at the ground level.
The Chief Minister was speaking at a one-day conference on NEP-2020 held at Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Center (SKICC), “To empower education leaders for overall education.”
Emphasizing the importance of reflection and course improvement, the Chief Minister said, “The new education policy is now five years old. It’s time to evaluate where we have been successful, where we have reduced, and what else can be done to implement it better. A policy is only effective as its application and understanding.”
Describing NEP -2020 as “luxurious and far -reaching” structure, Omar Abdullah stressed that the real change would come only when the policy would be understood in its real spirit and applied with sensitivity to local needs and realities.
He said that the future of Jammu and Kashmir will be significantly shaped by teachers, policy makers and institutional leaders who guide the younger generation. He said, “You will decide how much our children will be able to contribute to the development of Jammu and Kashmir and the country on a large scale. You will shape their competition, confidence and capacity.”
Pointing to the frequent intervals in subject availability and staffing, the Chief Minister said that many government schools and college are unable to offer a wide range of subjects due to lack of faculty. “In Jammu, only a few schools offer Urdu only; in Kashmir, some offered Hindi. Even regional languages like Kashmiri, Dogri, or Punjabi are taught in a very limited number of institutions. These intervals need to be filled slowly within our available resources,” he said.
He also addressed frequent comparisons between government and private schools, highlighting that government institutions work in areas where private schools often do not enter enterprises. He said, “It is easy to set up a school in Srinagar. Try to open one in Gurez, Tangdhar, or Machil. Our teachers work under extreme conditions, away from spotlight, and deserve recognition,” he said.
Appreciating the spirit of innovation among the students, the Chief Minister appreciated the exhibition held at the site, where the students demonstrated practical solutions to real-life problems-water conservation, low-plastic options, climate change awareness to winter-specific water pipe systems.
“There is no lack of talent in our children; they do not have risks and lack of opportunities. Their creativity, thinking, and innovation give us hope that we are moving in the right direction,” he said.
Omar Abdullah also emphasized the importance of inclusion in education. “Every child – despite physical or learning challenges – gives a chance to learn. Are our schools really inclusive and accessible to all? This workshop is a good step in that direction,” he said.
Speaking about the dynamic nature of education discourse, the Chief Minister noticed that decisions about school holidays, examination programs and even online learning are often argued in every household, which deepens deep connections with society with education system.
He accepted the challenges created by digital division and confirmed that as the government’s financial capacity improves, efforts to bridge that division would be intensified.
The Chief Minister said, “The future of Jammu and Kashmir is in the hands of our teachers. You are not just reading the course – you are shaping citizens, installing values, and building futures. Let us work together to make our education system more flexible, inclusive and transformative.”
The Chief Minister congratulated the organizers for organizing the conference and hoped that such busyness would continue to inspire positive changes in the education scenario of Jammu and Kashmir.
Earlier, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah visited exhibition stalls set up by various government schools, showing innovative models and live performances prepared by students and teachers.
Education Minister, Saqina Itu also spoke on the occasion and said that one of the largest priorities of the government, immediately after its formation, was to improve the education system to improve it more equitable, inclusive and for the future.
Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST), Prof. Shakeel Romeshu, and Secretary, Vice Chancellor of School Education, Ram Nevas Sharma also addressed the conference, shared insight on the implementation and influence of NEP -2020.
In this event, Chief Minister, Additional Chief Secretary to Dhirj Gupta, Managing Director and CEO of J&K Bank, Amitawa Chatterjee, Director of Times of India Group, Rohit Sharma, Director School Education Kashmir, Dr. GN Itu, as well as education department, chief education officers, senior officials of teachers, school principals, teachers, teachers, naps, naps, naps, naps, naps, teachers, Naps.
On the occasion, a Memorandum (MOU) was also signed between the IUST and the Directorate of School Education, Kashmir, to promote academic cooperation and strengthen the school -university linkage. (KDC)