Srinagar, Nov 2 (JKNS): Dr. Baba Nazrul Islam, President, Private Schools Association Jammu & Kashmir (PSAJK), called on the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir, Shri Manoj Sinha, and briefed him about the wide range of educational, environmental, social and community-oriented initiatives being undertaken by the Association across the Union Territory.
During the interaction, Dr. Baba Nazrul Islam highlighted the indispensable contribution of private educational institutions in shaping the educational landscape of Jammu & Kashmir. He observed that schools across the UT, irrespective of their management structures, have consistently served as pillars of peace, social harmony, stability and nation-building. In this larger educational journey, private schools have played a particularly significant role in expanding access to education, raising academic standards, promoting competitive excellence and nurturing responsible citizens.
He emphasised that private schools are not merely institutions imparting classroom education but are important stakeholders in social transformation, community development and the creation of an enlightened society. Their contribution extends beyond academics to character building, value-based education, national integration, leadership development and the promotion of civic responsibility among young learners.
Highlighting PSAJK’s Green Schools Mission, Dr. Baba Nazrul Islam briefed the LG about the Association’s commitment to developing environmentally responsible educational campuses across Jammu & Kashmir.
He highlighted initiatives such as plantation drives, composting, waste management, biodiversity conservation and the promotion of sustainable practices within school campuses.
He also reiterated the vision of transforming schools into centres of environmental awareness, where students become active ambassadors of ecological conservation.
The President also apprised the Lieutenant Governor of PSAJK’s Nasha Mukt Campaign, an important social intervention aimed at creating awareness among students, parents, teachers and communities about the devastating consequences of substance abuse.
He emphasised that educational institutions have a moral and social responsibility to contribute towards building a drug-free society. PSAJK intends to strengthen awareness programmes, student engagement, counselling initiatives and collaborative interventions with government departments and civil society organisations to protect the younger generation from the menace of drugs.
Dr. Baba Nazrul Islam further conveyed the willingness of private schools across Jammu & Kashmir to emerge as committed knowledge partners in the educational ecosystem of the UT.
He stressed that the transformation envisioned under NEP 2020 requires meaningful collaboration between government, private educational institutions, academic bodies, civil society and other stakeholders.
He underlined that private schools possess considerable institutional experience, infrastructure, human resources and grassroots outreach that can be constructively leveraged for improving learning outcomes, promoting innovation, strengthening foundational literacy and numeracy, encouraging scientific temper and advancing holistic education.
He also emphasised the need to recognise the contribution of thousands of educators, school founders, teachers and educational institution builders who, often despite considerable financial and infrastructural challenges, have dedicated their lives to expanding educational opportunities across Jammu & Kashmir. Their contribution deserves institutional recognition and encouragement.
During the interaction, Dr. Baba Nazrul Islam extended an invitation to the Lieutenant Governor to grace PSAJK’s forthcoming felicitation programme dedicated to the Nation Builders of the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir.
The programme is envisaged as a significant occasion to acknowledge and honour distinguished educators, school founders, educationists and individuals whose lifelong contributions have strengthened the educational and social fabric of the UT.
The Lieutenant Governor appreciated the interaction and assured Dr. Baba Nazrul Islam that he would explore the possibility of being present at the felicitation programme.
The assurance was received with gratitude by the President PSAJK, who observed that the presence of the LG would provide immense encouragement and recognition to the educational fraternity and those who have devoted their lives to nation-building through education.
Dr. Baba Nazrul Islam reiterated that PSAJK remains committed to constructive engagement with the UT administration and all relevant stakeholders.
He emphasised that the Association envisions a collaborative educational environment in which every school, irrespective of its management, contributes meaningfully towards peace, prosperity, innovation, environmental sustainability and the larger developmental aspirations of Jammu & Kashmir.
Concluding the interaction, the President reaffirmed that PSAJK stands committed to taking forward its mission of making schools centres of knowledge, character, social responsibility and positive transformation.
“Private Schools are not just providers of education; they are partners in peace, pillars of social transformation and indispensable stakeholders in nation-building.” Dr. Baba Nazrul Islam President Private Schools Association Jammu & Kashmir (PSAJK). (JKNS)
