CM Omar E-Inaugurates Hybrid Learning Centre, Rs 39.1 Cr Education Projects

SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday e-inaugurated a state-of-the-art Hybrid Learning Centre at Government Boys Higher Secondary School (GBHSS) Jawahar Nagar, connecting 12 schools to enhance live, interactive teaching in remote areas. Alongside, he also e-inaugurated 19 educational infrastructure projects across multiple districts in the Kashmir division, amounting to Rs 39.1 crore.

The announcements were made during a day-long Educational Stakeholders Meet on the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 at the Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC), where the Chief Minister emphasised the urgent need to uplift government schools to a level where they become the first choice for parents.

“Education and health are the foundations of any society. If we do not prioritise these, then no amount of infrastructure development will benefit us,” the Chief Minister said, addressing a large gathering of educationists, officials, teachers, and students. He quoted Nelson Mandela to underscore the transformative power of education, calling on all stakeholders to commit themselves to this cause.

Highlighting the importance of technology in education, Omar Abdullah urged for the expansion of hybrid learning models, particularly in remote areas where quality teaching resources are scarce. He said these platforms could bridge the gap between urban and rural education standards.

The Chief Minister also called for turning service in far-flung areas into an opportunity for meaningful contribution, rather than viewing it as a burden. He urged educators to reflect on the past five years of NEP implementation and identify challenges and corrective measures, suggesting that the meet should conclude with at least 10 actionable recommendations for the government.

In a parallel event, Omar Abdullah distributed appointment letters to individuals recruited under the SRO-43, Rehbar-e-Taleem (RRET), and Casual Paid Workers (CPW) categories. He also launched ‘UDAAN – Bhasha Ke Rang Shiksha Ke Sang’, a multilingual children’s learning resource developed by the Jammu and Kashmir State Council of Educational Research and Training (JKSCERT).

Speaking at the event, Education Minister Sakeena Itoo highlighted Jammu and Kashmir’s progress in NEP implementation, as recognised during a recent national conference. Advisor to the Chief Minister, Nasir Aslam Wani, added that the education sector has witnessed notable improvement under the current government’s tenure.