Srinagar, Dec 05: Jammu and Kashmir Civil Society Forum (JKCSF), led by Chairman Abdul Qayoom Wani Thursday expressed strong optimism for a transformative overhaul of the education system in Jammu and Kashmir, inspired by the proactive efforts of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Minister for Education, Health, and Social Welfare Sakina Itoo.
Wani commended the minister for her commitment to resolving deep-rooted issues, including academic stagnation, inadequate infrastructure, and the slow promotion of teaching, non-teaching, and multitasking staff. The Forum envisions a fast-paced work culture that eliminates nepotism, corruption, and malpractices, which have repeatedly surfaced in the media for the last two three years.
The JKCSF advocates for the inclusion of applied courses that align with industry and skill-based demands, the introduction of international languages to prepare students for global opportunities, and the preservation of cultural heritage through the promotion of local languages like Kashmiri, Urdu, and Hindi in the curriculum.
They also call for the establishment of coaching facilities on par with premier institutions to prepare students for professional courses, financial aid for the underprivileged, including orphans and destitute students, and scholarships to promote academic excellence. Furthermore, JKCSF emphasizes the importance of integrating moral education into the curriculum, establishing more girls’ schools and colleges, and improving examination management by assigning BOSE the responsibility of directly handling the distribution and collection of exam materials. Rationalizing admission, registration, and examination fees to ensure fairness and accessibility is also among their demands.
Additionally, the Forum has urged the government to fast-track the resolution of pending General Provident Fund (GPF) cases and pensions of employees and retirees, ensuring timely redressal and financial security.
Recognizing the November session as a pivotal step, the Forum remains hopeful that these measures will bring meaningful, lasting change, creating a dynamic, inclusive, and efficient education system in Jammu and Kashmir.
