Examiner Bureau | Srinagar:
Education Minister Sakina Itoo on Friday said the education system must prepare children not merely to secure jobs or score high marks in examinations, but to face life with confidence, responsibility, practical knowledge and strong values.
Addressing a gathering at the SKICC in connection with a Gandhi Jayanti commemorative event, Itoo said the occasion was not merely about remembering a great personality but also an opportunity to reflect on how Mahatma Gandhi’s principles could be strengthened and applied in contemporary life.
She said Gandhi’s philosophy went beyond book-based knowledge and focused on creating responsible human beings capable of improving their character, thinking and conduct.
“In today’s rapidly changing world, it is not enough to simply impart information to our children. We have to develop practical knowledge, critical thinking and creativity in them,” the Minister said.
She said rapid technological changes and evolving circumstances were creating both opportunities and challenges, making it important for students to learn how to understand situations, ask questions, solve problems and acquire new skills.
The objective of education, she said, should not be restricted to helping students obtain employment but should also focus on developing confidence, responsibility and social consciousness.
“We have to prepare a generation that can adapt itself to changing circumstances and continuously improve,” she said.
Itoo called for greater exposure to practical subjects and skills in educational institutions, particularly in areas such as agriculture, health, technology and other fields connected with everyday life and employment opportunities.
The Minister said Jammu and Kashmir has a rich tradition of art, literature, culture and spirituality, and modern education must integrate technology and new skills while ensuring that students remain connected with their cultural roots and traditions.
She also stressed the importance of incorporating Gandhi’s message of mutual respect and tolerance into education.
Schools, she said, should be spaces where children learn to listen to one another and understand that differences of opinion do not necessarily mean enmity.
Itoo said the education system could succeed only when teachers were empowered and adequately trained.
“A good teacher does not merely teach a book; a good teacher can teach students how to think and inspire them,” she said.
She stressed the need to equip teachers with modern training, technology and contemporary teaching methods, while also valuing their experience and expertise.
Teachers, she said, should serve as role models for students and remain willing to learn themselves, adding that both teachers and students could learn from one another.
Addressing students, Itoo urged them to use knowledge, skills and technology responsibly and for the service of humanity.
She called upon students to respect their parents, teachers and every individual irrespective of their background, remain committed to truth, tolerate differences and make an effort to understand the perspectives of others.
“Your success should not be measured only by the marks you secure in examinations. True success is when you are able to use your character and knowledge constructively in your life,” she said.
The Minister said continued efforts were needed to strengthen the education system so that every child has access to basic education and opportunities to progress, including those living in remote and far-flung areas.
She called for providing students in distant areas with opportunities and quality educational facilities comparable to those available in larger cities.
Itoo said Gandhi’s ideals should not remain confined to commemorative occasions but should become part of children’s everyday lives.
She called for classrooms that promote knowledge, respect, creativity and innovation, stressing that students must be prepared not merely for examinations but for life.
The Minister said educational institutions must nurture students capable of building a better future through their own efforts, thoughts and values, adding that collective efforts were necessary to realise Gandhi’s vision.
