New Delhi, Oct 31 (KNO): Advisor to the Chief Minister, Nasir Aslam Wani, today called for greater collaboration between the government and private educational institutions, rationalisation of resources and renewed focus on skill-based education to strengthen the education ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir.
Speaking at the 13th School Choice National Conference in New Delhi, Nasir Aslam Wani said healthcare and education remain the foremost priorities of the Government. He emphasised that education must not only impart knowledge but also equip youth with skills and enhance their employability.
Highlighting the extensive network of Government schools in even the remotest areas of J&K, the Advisor said investment in physical infrastructure alone was not sufficient. He called for greater focus on human resource development, rationalisation of teacher deployment and addressing disparities in teacher-student ratios. He underscored the need to improve enrolment and retention, particularly in rural areas where dropout rates remain a concern.
Calling for collective efforts, he said government and private schools should complement rather than compete with each other. He advocated developing a mechanism for sharing infrastructure and resources between public and private institutions, including utilisation of surplus classrooms to ensure optimum use of existing facilities and improve enrolment.
Emphasising the significance of the National Education Policy (NEP), the Advisor said skill-based and vocational education was essential, particularly for children from economically weaker sections, to enhance their employability and prepare them for the job market. He highlighted the government's Ease of Doing Business initiative and its trust-based approach towards simplifying procedures and encouraging private participation.
Referring to the opening up of opportunities for private universities in J&K, he invited investors and educational institutions to explore possibilities of establishing higher education institutions in the Union Territory. He expressed confidence that stronger public-private partnerships, improved resource utilisation and greater emphasis on employability would help build an inclusive, accessible and sustainable education ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir—(KNO)