J&K’s Education Reforms Focus on Quality and Teacher Accountability

The education system in Jammu and Kashmir is going through a serious transformation with a strong focus on quality learning and teacher responsibility. Recently, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo highlighted how improving teaching standards and holding educators accountable are the key pillars of the reforms being rolled out across the Union Territory. From better infrastructure to

I’m writing about this because education reform in a region like Jammu and Kashmir holds deeper significance. For years, many students in far-flung areas of the Union Territory didn’t have access to proper schools, qualified teachers or even basic classroom facilities. Now, there’s a push from the administration to fix this—step by step. It’s important to talk about it, because when education improves in conflict-affected or remote regions, it gives hope to children and parents who have long been waiting for change. This move can set an example for other states to follow, especially in ensuring that quality is not just a promise but a monitored outcome.

Education Reform Rooted in Ground Realities

The J&K administration has adopted a two-pronged strategy—focusing on improving quality of education while also ensuring teacher accountability. According to Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, the entire education department is being restructured to bring visible changes that are not limited to paperwork.

Here’s what’s being done:

Teacher performance will be tracked using measurable indicators like student learning outcomes, attendance, lesson plans, and classroom discipline
A new digital attendance system has been introduced to check irregularities
More focus is being placed on timely syllabus completion and proper exam assessment
District-level monitoring teams are being formed to regularly inspect government schools

The idea is simple—teachers must deliver and schools must perform. If not, there will be consequences.

Focus on Quality Infrastructure and Training

Apart from accountability, the J&K government is also investing in:

Smart classrooms and modern labs in higher secondary schools
Toilets and drinking water facilities in all primary and middle schools
Regular teacher training sessions to align teaching styles with modern methods
Introduction of vocational subjects to make students more job-ready after school

The push is not just for urban centres like Jammu and Srinagar. Villages in border areas and tribal belts are also seeing new schools and upgrades to old ones.

Accountability Is Not Just About Punishment

One key point Chief Secretary Dulloo made is that accountability should not be seen as just a punishment system. Instead, it’s about encouraging and rewarding good teachers. Teachers who perform well will get recognised and promoted, while those who don’t meet the expected standards will be given clear warnings and chances to improve.

He also mentioned that the PRABANDH portal is being used to monitor data from all government schools. This allows for real-time updates about everything—from dropout rates to classroom strength.

Student Outcomes as the Final Goal

The administration has made it clear that the reforms are not about filling up government reports—they are about real improvement in student learning. Regular tests and student feedback mechanisms are being implemented to check whether children are actually learning and understanding what is taught in class.

Also, there’s a push to reduce dropout rates by identifying at-risk students and offering them support, like counselling or bridge courses.

Community Participation Matters

The success of any education reform depends not just on the government but also on the involvement of local communities. The J&K administration is now encouraging parents, panchayat members, and local leaders to participate in school development committees and raise concerns whenever needed.

By making the process more open and participatory, the aim is to make schools more accountable to the people they serve.

Education and Employment Can Transform Society: Dinesh Gundu Rao Highlights the Way Forward

During a recent public address in Mangaluru, Karnataka’s Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao stressed that education and employment are two powerful tools that can shape the future of any society. He pointed out that when people are educated and have meaningful jobs, they can rise above social divisions, poverty, and other long-standing issues. His statement came while addressing students and faculty at a function organised at Srinivas University, where he also touched on the importance of knowledge-driven growth.

I felt the need to write about this because it’s rare to hear such a strong political focus on the link between education, employment and overall societal transformation. We often hear about schemes, budgets and infrastructure, but rarely is the bigger picture discussed—how these two sectors can change the life of a common person. This topic matters to all of us, especially the youth, who are navigating a fast-changing job market while also dealing with rising academic pressure. By writing about this, I hope more people start thinking seriously about how education is not just about degrees, and employment is not just about money—it’s about dignity, stability and progress.

Why Education and Employment Matter Together

Education and employment are often treated as separate issues, but in reality, they go hand-in-hand. Education gives people the ability to think, create and contribute. Employment gives them the opportunity to apply what they know, support their families, and be part of the economy. According to Dinesh Gundu Rao, these two pillars must be developed together if we want a fairer and more productive society.

He stressed that:

Lack of access to education pushes people into poverty.
Unemployment leads to frustration, crime, and brain drain.
A society that fails to create job-ready youth will always remain unequal.

This is why investing in schools, colleges, and job-oriented courses is not just a policy decision—it’s a moral responsibility.

Government’s Role in Creating Equal Opportunities

During the event, Rao mentioned that governments should focus not only on building schools and colleges but also on ensuring the quality of education. He said students from rural areas often struggle because they don’t have the same access to English-medium teaching or computer labs as those in urban areas. This kind of inequality reflects in the job market too, where rural youth get fewer chances.

He also pointed out that:

Many graduates remain unemployed or underemployed because they are not industry-ready.
There is a big gap between what is taught in classrooms and what the job market demands.
Career counselling and vocational training should start at the school level.

According to him, if we want to see real change, we need long-term thinking and serious government commitment—not just one-time policies or election promises.

Importance of Social Harmony for Progress

One of the key messages Rao delivered was about unity. He said education should be a tool to unite people and not divide them. The minister raised concern about how communalism and polarisation are slowly taking attention away from important issues like job creation and educational reform.

He added that:

When youth are unemployed, they are more vulnerable to divisive ideologies.
Education can help people develop critical thinking and tolerance.
A strong education and employment ecosystem reduces dependence on populist politics.

He urged young people to stay informed, ask questions, and focus on real-life issues rather than distractions.