Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday underscored the critical role of empowering teachers in fostering confident students and a resilient society. Addressing a one-day capacity building programme organized by the Bharti Airtel Foundation, the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), and the school education department, Sinha asserted that education should prioritize transforming lives rather than merely producing results in examinations.
Empowerment of Teachers Strengthens Society
“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,” Sinha said. The programme also marked the launch of jointly-developed instructional resources aimed at enhancing teachers’ professional capacities and improving the quality of school education across the Union territory.
Education for Life Transformation
Stressing that the true purpose of education is transformation, Sinha said learning should be connected to real-life experiences to bring about generational change. “The greatest power of education does not lie in examination results but in its ability to change lives. A dedicated teacher shapes destiny. I want schools in Jammu and Kashmir to become laboratories of life-building,” he said.
Capacity Building Linked to Drug-Free Campaign
The L-G noted that the capacity-building initiative was linked to the broader ‘Drug-free Jammu and Kashmir’ campaign. It aims to equip teachers with modern tools to help students tackle challenges such as substance abuse, mental stress, peer pressure, digital risks, and changing lifestyles. Sinha emphasized that schools should go beyond academic achievement and place greater emphasis on life skills, including self-awareness, emotional balance, creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving.
“Every student is born with unique talents. Our responsibility is to recognize these abilities and provide opportunities for every child to grow. Education is not merely competition but a continuous journey of self-development,” he said.
National Education Policy Vision
Referring to the National Education Policy (NEP), Sinha said it seeks to develop creative, responsible, compassionate, and self-reliant citizens. He lauded the Directorate of School Education Jammu for launching online classes for students of Classes 11 and 12 across 10 districts in the Jammu region, saying the initiative would help bridge educational disparities by ensuring access to quality education for students in remote areas.
Measuring Success Through Student Confidence
Sinha stated that the success of such initiatives would be measured by students’ confidence and their contribution towards building a self-reliant Jammu and Kashmir. On the occasion, the L-G felicitated meritorious students and winners of the Tobacco-Free Educational Institution (TOFEI) initiative and released several books on life skills.
