J&K among top performing states, UTs in implementation of NEP-2020: Sakina Itoo

Srinagar, Aug 19: The Minister for education Sakina Itoo on Tuesday said that Jammu and Kashmir was among the front runners in implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP)-2020.

In her address during a day-long conference on NEP 2020- Challenges and Prospects in Jammu and Kashmir organised at Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC), Sakina Itoo said it took Jammu and Kashmir five years to comprehend and understand the NEP-2020.

"But when we look back, we have achieved a lot which is appreciated at different forums," she said.

She said the government education sector has witnessed major changes over the past few years which is evident from the establishment of 500 smart classrooms, giving comfort to students while studying.

"We have improved by 14 percent in getting students back to schools and God willing will work more on it and show more improvement and progress in getting children back to schools," she said.

She said that 3000 teachers have been trained for the new education policy who are able to train more children and educate them about NEP-2020.

"Around 3000 new classrooms have been completed and 5000 students who go for higher studies have been given scholarships so that they don't face any difficulty in pursuing higher education outside Jammu and Kashmir," she said.

She said that under the leadership of Omar Abdullah government, 10,000 schools have already been provided ramps for students with special needs.

"I am thankful to CM Omar Abdullah for giving more preference to the education and health sector during the budget sessions," she said.

She further said that under Samagra Shiksha around 30,000 new Aayas will be appointed so that children in kindergarten classes get more care.

"Time is not far when Jammu and Kashmir will be among the top performers in the education sector. But we cannot do it alone and need your support for it," she said.

About the syllabus, Sakina Itoo said a committee has been framed to include topics like traffic rules and other important topics. "We all know how many accidents occur here every day and how many lives are lost. We have already discussed traffic rules but I feel that we should focus more on traffic rules," she said. Besides traffic rules the issue of substance abuse will be also included in the textbooks. "The issue of substance abuse is spreading like a disease in J&K. If anyone can control this, it is our education department. Drug addiction is dangerous and it has destroyed our generation. So it is important to make this topic part of the curriculum," she said.