SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has emphasized the critical role of empowering teachers in fostering confident students and building a robust society, advocating for an educational paradigm that extends beyond academic achievements to encompass life skills, character development, and social transformation.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that Sinha made these remarks while addressing a One-Day Capacity Building Programme in Srinagar. The event was jointly organised by the Bharti Airtel Foundation, the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), J&K, and the School Education Department. The initiative aims to strengthen teachers and enhance the quality of school education across Jammu and Kashmir.
Instructional Resources Launched
The programme also saw the launch of new instructional resources, a collaborative effort by the three organising bodies designed to augment the professional capabilities of educators. Lieutenant Governor Sinha articulated his vision, stating, “When teachers are empowered, students gain confidence. When schools are strengthened, society becomes more resilient, and when education moves in the right direction, Jammu and Kashmir and the nation advance towards a brighter, safer and more prosperous future.”
Education as Transformation
Sinha underscored that the fundamental objective of education should be transformation rather than a mere focus on examination results. He remarked, “The greatest power of education lies not in exam results but in its ability to change lives. A dedicated teacher shapes destinies. Schools in Jammu and Kashmir should become laboratories of life-building where learning connects with real-life experiences.”
The Lieutenant Governor drew a connection between the capacity-building programme and the government’s ongoing ‘Drug-Free Jammu & Kashmir’ campaign, highlighting the increasingly significant responsibility of schools in addressing contemporary challenges. These include issues such as drug abuse, mental stress, peer pressure, digital risks, and the impact of changing lifestyles on young people.
Equipping Teachers for Modern Challenges
He stressed the need to equip teachers with contemporary teaching methodologies and life-skills training. This, he explained, would enable them to effectively guide students in developing essential attributes such as self-awareness, emotional resilience, creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities. “Education today cannot be restricted to measurable academic achievement alone. Schools must prepare children to face real-life challenges with confidence while respecting every student’s individuality,” Sinha added.
Referring to the National Education Policy (NEP), Sinha noted its aim to cultivate individuals who are creative, responsible, compassionate, and self-reliant. He also commended the Directorate of School Education, Jammu, for initiating online classes for Classes XI and XII across ten districts. This, he stated, represents a crucial stride towards ensuring equitable access to quality education, particularly benefiting students in remote areas.
Recognition and Initiatives
The success of these educational initiatives, Sinha believes, will be ultimately measured by the enhanced confidence of students and their contributions to building a self-reliant Jammu and Kashmir. During the event, the Lieutenant Governor felicitated students who had excelled academically and those who had won accolades in the Tobacco-Free Educational Institution (TOFEI) initiative. The programme also featured the release of several books focusing on life skills.
Among the dignitaries present were Rakesh Bharti Mittal, Co-Chairman of the Bharti Airtel Foundation; Ram Niwas Sharma, Commissioner Secretary, School Education Department; Ramesh Kumar, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu; Nuriya Ansari, CEO, Bharti Airtel Foundation; and Dr Naseem Javaid Chowdhary, Director School Education Jammu. Senior officials, teachers, students, and representatives from various educational institutions also attended the event.
The Chenab Times News Desk