Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has underscored the critical role of empowering teachers in fostering confident students and building a resilient society. Speaking at a one-day capacity-building program, Sinha articulated that the true aim of education should be life transformation rather than solely achieving examination results. The initiative, a collaborative effort between the Bharti Airtel foundation, the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), and the school education department, was founded on the principle that strengthening educators ultimately fortifies the community.
Information reaching Tahir Rihat suggests that Sinha stated, “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.” The program also served as the launchpad for jointly developed instructional resources designed to enhance the professional capabilities of teachers and elevate the standard of school education across the Union Territory.
Sinha emphasized that education’s paramount purpose lies in its capacity for transformation, advocating for learning experiences that are intrinsically linked to real-life situations to effect generational change. He asserted that the most significant power of education is not measured by examination scores but by its ability to alter lives, highlighting the profound impact of a dedicated teacher in shaping destinies. The Lieutenant Governor expressed his aspiration for schools in Jammu and Kashmir to evolve into “laboratories of life-building.”
The capacity-building initiative is strategically aligned with the broader ‘Drug-free Jammu and Kashmir’ campaign. Its objective is to equip teachers with contemporary tools and methodologies to effectively guide students in navigating contemporary challenges, including substance abuse, mental stress, peer pressure, digital risks, and evolving lifestyles. Sinha stressed the importance of schools extending their focus beyond academic achievements to place a greater emphasis on cultivating essential life skills. These include self-awareness, emotional regulation, creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities.
He further articulated that each student possesses unique innate talents, and it is the collective responsibility of the educational system to identify these abilities and create avenues for every child’s growth. Sinha characterized education not as a competition but as a continuous journey of personal development. Referencing the National Education Policy, he noted its objective to nurture citizens who are creative, responsible, compassionate, and self-reliant.
In a related development, Sinha commended the Directorate of School Education Jammu for initiating online classes for students in Classes 11 and 12 across ten districts in the Jammu region. He highlighted that this endeavor is poised to mitigate educational disparities by ensuring equitable access to quality education for students residing in remote areas. The success of such educational ventures, according to Sinha, will ultimately be gauged by the confidence levels of the students and their tangible contributions towards fostering a self-reliant Jammu and Kashmir.
During the event, the Lieutenant Governor also took the opportunity to felicitate meritorious students and recognize the winners of the Tobacco-Free Educational Institution (TOFEI) initiative. Several books focusing on life skills were also released on the occasion, further underscoring the administration’s commitment to holistic student development.
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.
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