Srinagar, 23 July (H.S.): Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today underscored the need for comprehensive, inclusive and locally adaptable implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, calling it a visionary document whose success depends entirely on its understanding and execution at the grassroots level.

The Chief Minister was speaking at a One-Day Conference on NEP-2020 held at Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC), themed “Empowering Education Leaders for Holistic Education.”

Emphasizing the importance of reflection and course correction, the Chief Minister said, “The New Education Policy is now five years old. This is the time to evaluate where we have succeeded, where we have fallen short, and what more can be done to implement it better. A policy is only as effective as its application and understanding.”

Terming the NEP-2020 a “magnificent and far-reaching” framework, Omar Abdullah stressed that real change will come only when the policy is understood in its true spirit and implemented with sensitivity to local needs and realities.

He said the future of Jammu and Kashmir will be shaped significantly by the educators, policymakers, and institutional leaders who guide the younger generation. “You will decide how capable our children will be in contributing to the development of J&K and the country at large. You will shape their competitiveness, confidence, and capacity,” he added.

Pointing to persistent gaps in subject availability and staffing, the Chief Minister noted that many government schools and colleges are unable to offer a wide range of subjects due to faculty shortages. “In Jammu, only a few schools offer Urdu; in Kashmir, few offer Hindi. Even regional languages like Kashmiri, Dogri, or Punjabi are taught in very limited number of institutions. These gaps need to be filled gradually, within our available resources,” he said.

He also addressed frequent comparisons between government and private schools, highlighting that government institutions operate in areas where private schools often do not venture. “Setting up a school in Srinagar is easy. Try opening one in Gurez, Tangdhar, or Machil. Our teachers work in extreme conditions, away from the spotlight, and deserve recognition,” he stated.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar