JAMMU: Bharatiya Janata Party is discontented with the mistreatment of the education sector by the NC government of Jammu and Kashmir, said Girdhari Lal Raina. Girdhari Lal Raina, former MLC & BJP Spokesperson, J&K BJP accompanied by Rajni Sethi, Spokesperson and Dr. Pardeep Mahotra, Media Incharge, was addressing a Press Conference at BJP headquarters, Trikuta Nagar, Jammu.
Taking the address of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on the first day of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly’s budget session in Jammu today as an indication of things to come it seems the government is oblivious to its responsibility under the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020 updated recently in 2024. This was expressed by Party spokesperson Girdhari Lal Raina soon after the address of LG Manoj Sinha concluded.
In 2022, the government implemented NEP in Jammu and Kashmir. The policy emphasizes the elimination of rigid boundaries between humanities, sciences, and other subjects. It aims to nurture important skills while instilling empirical thinking in the new generation. It puts thrust on integrating vocational training and internship from an early age, offering a significant opportunity to blend skills-based learning with the mainstream school curriculum. No word on this process was spoken.
Again NEP 2020 to National Education Policy 2024 has emphasized the development of teaching-learning e-content in regional languages across States. It’s important to choose e-content providers who don’t rely on quick voice overs or basic translations. Instead, look for curriculum-aligned content with a neutral accent that feels natural and familiar to students. People of Jammu Kashmir are expecting this government to share a road map for achieving education in regional languages particularly in Dogri in Jammu region and Kashmiri in Kashmir region. Unfortunately, there seems to be no preparedness on this count also, GL Raina added.
The National Education Policy 2024 seeks to eliminate the traditional divisions between Arts, Science, and Commerce streams, he recalled. This shift allows students to freely choose subjects across disciplines, fostering an interdisciplinary approach to education. By encouraging a more holistic learning experience, students can develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Jammu Kashmir needs to prepare itself for this shift. BJP hopes that adequate funds will be made available to the department for this purpose, he added further.
Similarly, The National Education Policy recognizes the vital role that mathematics and mathematical thinking will play in shaping India’s future, particularly in fields such as artificial intelligence, data science and machine learning. To prepare students for these emerging professions, there will be a greater emphasis on mathematics and computational thinking throughout their schooling, says NEP. This initiative is supposed to begin at the foundational stage, incorporating innovative methods like puzzles and games to make mathematical concepts more enjoyable and engaging. Additionally, coding activities will have to be introduced for students aged 11 to 14 years in the Middle Stage, following the updated education structure outlined in the National Education Policy 2024 (NEP 2024). We hope to see this policy outline being implemented in Jammu Kashmir with adequate budgetary support from the government in the forthcoming budget, Raina emphasized.
Experts have recommended increased allocation of funds to education prioritizing funding for school infrastructure, teacher training, and provision of the necessary amenities for schools. BJP hopes that the forthcoming budget scheduled to be presented on March 7, will come upto the expectations and not repeat rhetoric of manifesto 2024 of NC.
