Sadaket Ali Malik
sadaketmalik.blogspot.com
The National Education Policy 2020 has been hailed across India as a historic turning point, a reform that can reorient education from rote learning to holistic development. For Jammu and Kashmir, this policy carries even greater significance. Education in the Union Territory has long been shaped by geographical isolation, socio-political disruptions, and deep rural-urban divides. In such a context, the NEP is not just another policy document but a blueprint that can transform lives and redefine futures. The question, however, is whether its vision can be translated into reality on the ground.
At the heart of the NEP is the idea of learning that nurtures creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving rather than mechanical memorization. This shift matters deeply in Jammu and Kashmir, where students often prepare for examinations with limited exposure to practical learning. The proposed 5+3+3+4 structure, which emphasizes strong foundations in early childhood care and education, is crucial in a region where many children in rural areas still lack access to quality preschool education. Anganwadi centers and primary schools in remote villages must be equipped and strengthened if the youngest learners are to benefit from this reform.
Equity and inclusion, another central pillar of NEP 2020, resonates strongly with Jammu and Kashmir’s diverse population. The policy’s focus on ensuring access for marginalized groups, gender inclusivity, and mainstreaming children with special needs is critical. Many government schools in the region still struggle with basic infrastructure like ramps and accessible toilets. Only a small fraction of children with special needs are enrolled beyond the primary level. The NEP’s promise of targeted funding, trained teachers, and inclusive pedagogy offers a pathway to ensure that no child is left behind.
Vocational education, which the policy aims to integrate from Grade 6 onwards, has special relevance for Jammu and Kashmir. The region’s economy depends heavily on sectors such as tourism, handicrafts, horticulture, and agriculture. Introducing skill-based courses aligned with these local industries can provide students with pathways to employment and entrepreneurship. A Class 9 student in Pulwama learning fruit processing or a girl in Baramulla training in handicrafts under school-based vocational programs could directly link their education to economic empowerment. This is precisely the vision that NEP 2020 seeks to achieve — blending academic learning with practical skills.
Language policy, often a contentious issue nationally, also has specific implications for the Union Territory. The NEP recommends mother tongue or regional language as the medium of instruction until at least Grade 5, ideally Grade 8. In Jammu and Kashmir, where Urdu, Kashmiri, Dogri, Gojri, Pahari, and other languages are spoken alongside Hindi and English, careful planning will be required. While children learn best in their home language, they also need proficiency in English and Hindi for higher education and employment. Balancing local linguistic identity with national and global opportunities will be a delicate but important task.
Teacher education is another area where NEP 2020 could change the landscape in Jammu and Kashmir. The shortage of trained teachers, particularly in remote and hilly areas, has long affected learning quality. The policy’s proposal for rigorous four-year integrated teacher training programs, continuous professional development, and career progression pathways could uplift the morale and competence of teachers. However, implementation will depend on how effectively teacher education institutions in the UT are upgraded and supported.
Higher education reforms outlined in the NEP also carry weight for Jammu and Kashmir. The vision of multidisciplinary universities, flexible curricula, and multiple entry-exit options through an Academic Bank of Credits can help students pursue diverse careers without being trapped in rigid streams. For the youth of the region, who often migrate outside the UT for better higher education opportunities, strengthening local universities under this new framework could reduce brain drain and foster innovation within Jammu and Kashmir itself.
But the most ambitious goals of NEP 2020 — achieving universal school enrolment by 2030 and raising the Gross Enrolment Ratio in higher education to 50 percent by 2035 — will be tested sharply in Jammu and Kashmir. Dropout rates remain high, particularly among girls in rural areas, due to poverty, distance to schools, and safety concerns. Government data has shown hundreds of schools with very low or even zero enrolment. If these structural issues are not addressed, the targets will remain aspirational rather than achievable.
Funding remains a critical concern. The NEP calls for public spending on education to reach 6 percent of GDP. In Jammu and Kashmir, where fund utilization under schemes like Samagra Shiksha has often been weak, efficiency is as important as allocation. Social audits, real-time monitoring through portals, and community participation will be necessary to ensure that every rupee spent translates into better classrooms, facilities, and learning outcomes.
Ultimately, the success of NEP 2020 in Jammu and Kashmir will not depend only on policy announcements but on implementation that is sensitive to local realities. Roads that get blocked by snow, villages that remain cut off in winters, communities still recovering from conflict — these are challenges no policy document can ignore. Yet, the resilience of the people, the aspirations of parents who see education as the best hope for their children, and the determination of teachers who often work in difficult conditions all provide fertile ground for change.
The NEP offers Jammu and Kashmir a chance to reimagine its education system in a way that is inclusive, modern, and locally relevant. If its vision of holistic learning, equity, skill integration, teacher empowerment, and flexible higher education can be realized, the children of this Union Territory will not only catch up with the rest of the country but also emerge as torchbearers of a system truly built for the 21st century. The policy is ambitious, but for Jammu and Kashmir, ambition is not a luxury — it is a necessity. The time has come to ensure that the promise of NEP 2020 does not remain on paper but becomes the lived reality of every child in the valleys, towns, and mountains of this beautiful yet challenging land.
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