Srinagar, Feb 08: The Director School Education Kashmir (DSEK) Dr G N Itoo on Saturday asked the school heads to build confidence among students and make them part of the school affairs.
He was speaking during a felicitation ceremony organised by the +2 Lecturers Association at Government Girls Higher Secondary School Kothi Bagh here. The function was organised to felicitate the senior lecturers who were recently promoted as principals.
"The schools heads should develop confidence in the students so that they can be at par in decision making," G N Itoo said
He also advocated for having student councils in the schools saying that the move will encourage the students to be part of the school affairs.
"During our times we used to have a student council in schools. The students should be made part of decision making and school affairs," G N Itoo said.
He further advised the school heads and the teachers to behave and act like parents for the students enrolled in their schools.
"You have to adopt such behaviour and maintain that link with the students. You should understand the behaviour of the student so that he shares the positivity with the family he receives from you (teachers) in the school," Itoo said.
Director education in his address asked the newly promoted principals to strengthen the cluster system of schools besides sharing feedback to the department for making further improvement in it.
"We do not need any thesis on it but you can share a 10 point suggestion. These suggestions should be public driven," he said.
He said the new group of principals should make it possible to do their best and become role models for others.
"You (Principals) have to behave like parents for the teachers posted in the schools. You have to be a friend but at times a tough administrator as well. Appreciate your staff for their good but be tough as well," he said.
He however said that the school heads should never treat themselves as the ultimate authority in the school but should instead encourage and strengthen team work in schools.
"School heads should take suggestions from the staff and manage the affairs as a team. Take suggestions from staff and share ideas as well, which will improve the functioning of the institutions," he said.
He further said that it was mandatory for an officer, at any level, to be a good subordinate but should also know how to exercise his powers.
He said this while asking the Chief Education Officers (CEOs) to take on board the Deputy CEOs and the District Education Planning Officers (DEPOs) in policy matters.
"It is not mandatory that the CEO should take everything on his head. Every officer should be on board. We should always make the second line strong. Maximum things at district level are related to planning and we have seen DEPOs perform well at times," he said, adding that Principals should also groom the vice principals of the schools as well.
"The head, be it CEO or Principal should trust his team and make its team fully equipped. We should allow the second to grow," he said.
Suhail Khan Baramulla, Jan 6: A young aerospace engineer from Sopore in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district is proving that dedication and ambition can propel one to global heights. Munaf-ul-Raquib who holds a B.Tech in Aerospace Engineering, has gained international recognition for his research on black holes and cosmology. Munaf-ul-Raquib revealed that his paper on the thermodynamics of black holes was recently published in the International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR). “About a year ago, I conducted research on the gravity of black holes and cosmology, which has now been published in IJSR,” he said. He said that since his research was published in the international journal, he has been receiving opportunities from various countries to participate in research dialogues. Raquib added that in the coming months he is scheduled to participate in international conferences in Paris on April 16 and later in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The Sopore aerospace engineer noted that he is also participating in various conferences across different countries. Speaking about his research, Munaf-ul-Raquib addressed a fundamental paradox in astrophysics: how black holes can appear to violate thermodynamic laws, particularly concerning entropy.“If we observe a black hole, it seems to contradict thermodynamic principles,” he said. Using the frameworks of Anti-de Sitter space (AdS) and Conformal Field Theory (CFT), Raqeeb’s research proposes a theoretical model that reconciles black hole mechanics with thermodynamics. “In this paper, I have explained how a black hole can function without violating thermodynamic laws,” he said. He described the achievement as both personal and symbolic. “It is a proud moment for me to represent my state, especially Sopore, on an international platform,” he said. Raqeeb shared that Astrophysics was his childhood dream, and his grandfather encouraged me immensely. "After my grandfather passed away during the Covid-19 pandemic, my parents continued to champion my aspirations. My parents left no stone unturned in helping me pursue my dreams,” he said. He said that his academic path included taking the JEE and later the AME CET entrance exams, through which he secured a seat in aerospace engineering at the Nasik Research Centre. “My parents not only supported me morally but also created an environment where I could pursue my dreams freely,” he said. He emphasized the role of family in nurturing talent. “Just as my parents supported me, it is the responsibility of all parents to help their children follow their dreams.” “Young people should avoid wrong practices. They must dream of a beautiful tomorrow but work hard today to make their parents proud,” he further added.
Srinagar, Jan 12: The Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) will declare the result of class 10th and 12th examination on January 14 of, 2026 (Wednesday), minister for education Sakina Itoo said on Monday. Minister for education Sakina Itoo said the government has decided to declare the result of both the classes-10th and 12th on the same day. "We understand that students have been waiting for the results. So we decided that result of both the classes will be declared on Wednesday (January 16 of 2926)," Sakina Itoo said. She said the meeting of the Result Declaration Committee (RDC) will be convened by the Secretary JKBOE along with the members-Director School Education (DSE) Kashmir and Jammu division besides the joint secretaries as well. "We will give the administrative approval to the result instead of getting approved by the chairman," she said. The announcement comes amid the delay in appointment of chairman JKBOSE as the position is lying vacant for the last one year. "After declaration of the results, we will also appoint the permanent chairman for JKBOSE as well," education minister said. An official from JKBOSE said the class 1oth result will be declared on Wednesday morning followed by the declaration of result of class 12th students in late afternoon on the same day. As per the official figures, 94783 students- 68804 from Kashmir and 25,224 students from winter zone areas of Jammu division besides 660 students from Kargil and 95 from Leh district registered for the class 10th JKBOSE examination this year. Also, the examination for class 11th and 12th students was scheduled from November 19 and November 8 of 2025 respectively. Approximately, 81622 students – 64001 from Jammu and 17621 from winter zone areas of Jammu have registered for class 11th examination while 70117 students—56423 from Kashmir and 13694 from winter zone areas of Jammu have registered for class 12th examination.
'Results likely to get delayed in absence of Chairman' Jammu, Jan 7: The Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) on Wednesday said the result of the class 10th examinations will be declared soon after the appointment of the Chairman of the Board. The statement comes amid the uncertainty about the declaration of the results by JKBOSE. In an official handout issued here, JKBOSE has advised students not to pay heed to fake links and websites announcing declaration of class 10 results. "Result of class 10th will be declared within few days soon after the appointment of new Chairman," the statement reads. The JKBOSE has stated that the results of annual examination of class 10 of Kashmir valley and winter zone areas of Jammu Division are almost ready. "But its approval by Result Declaration Committee headed by BOSE Chairman is a pre- requisite before its declaration. In absence of the Chairman the results are likely to get a little delayed," it reads. The JKBOSE officials have advised the students to wait for the formal declaration on the official website of the Board- www.jkbose.nic.in. "Students should not get misled by scamesters and fake narratives circulated by some mischievous elements, whose sole aim is to create confusion in the innocent student community," the statement reads.
Srinagar, Jan 8: Contractual faculty members working in government degree colleges of Jammu and Kashmir Higher Education Department (HED) have expressed strong resentment over what they term as a glaring disparity in salaries, demanding revision of their pay in line with University Grants Commission (UGC) norms and regularisation of their services. The faculty, many of whom hold PhDs and are qualified through NET, SET and JRF, said they have been denied UGC-recommended pay scales despite discharging academic responsibilities equivalent to their regular counterparts. “Hundreds of highly qualified scholars have been pushed into silent suffering. For years, we have been assured that our pay revision is under consideration, but nothing has materialised so far,” said Dr Ishfaq Gowhar, a contractual faculty member. Earlier, Director Colleges J&K had acknowledged the legitimacy of the faculty’s demand, stating that while the issue was genuine, its implementation involved significant financial implications due to the large number of contractual appointments. “We are aware that they deserve salary enhancement, but the number of contractual faculty is huge and it has financial implications,” he earlier said. Dr Gowhar pointed out that contractual lecturers, who form the backbone of the higher education system, continue to work on a fixed monthly honorarium of Rs 28,000, which has remained unchanged for nearly a decade. “The irony is that a Class IV employee with a Class 10 qualification draws a salary exceeding Rs 50,000, while doctorate-holding teachers engaged in teaching, mentoring and academic research are paid a fraction of that,” he said. He added that institutions such as SKUAST-K, University of Kashmir and Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) have implemented revised UGC pay scales, but the Higher Education Department has failed to extend similar treatment to its contractual faculty. Dr Gowhar said the demand for “equal work, equal pay” gets prominently featured in election campaigns, raising hopes among contractual teachers. “Promises were made and slogans echoed during elections, but once the process ended, our voices were reduced to silence. Even meeting officials now feels impossible,” he said. He said contractual faculty were not seeking privileges but dignity, fairness and recognition for their service. The faculty appealed to the Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the Education Minister to intervene and take concrete steps towards addressing their long-pending demands. “This issue is not merely about salaries. It is about survival, justice and dignity in the classrooms of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
Jammu, Jan 18: Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Transport, Youth Services & Sports, Information Technology, ARI & Trainings, Satish Sharma Sunday said that the remarkable achievements of Jammu and Kashmir’s youth are a powerful testament to what can be accomplished through fair opportunities, modern infrastructure and unwavering government support. Addressing the gathering during the SRIJAN initiative conference, the Minister stated that the success of young athletes clearly demonstrates that with the right ecosystem in place, the UT youth are capable of overcoming every challenge and competing confidently at national and international platforms. Highlighting the core focus areas of the SRIJAN programme, Satish Sharma said "the initiative is playing a transformative role in strengthening the sports landscape of the Union Territory by expanding grassroots sports infrastructure across Jammu, Kashmir and other regions. This is being done by ensuring transparent, merit-based selections free from any bias; integrating sports with education and skill development; promoting greater participation of girls and enhancing inclusivity and establishing sports as a dignified and sustainable career option with viable livelihood opportunities, he said0. He reaffirmed the government’s firm commitment and said that sustained efforts were underway to create international-standard sports facilities, including modern cricket stadiums in Jammu and Srinagar. He also highlighted the strengthening of Khelo India Centres, promotion of traditional sports such as Dangal and enhanced collaboration with the Union Ministry to transform Jammu & Kashmir into a national sports hub. “As Sports Minister, I assure our athletes that the government stands firmly with them. Our focus is not only on infrastructure creation but also on nurturing talent, discipline and confidence among the youth,” he said. The Minister lauded the determination, resilience and dedication of young sportspersons, describing them as the living legacy of the SRIJAN mission. He urged them to continue training with passion, remain disciplined and dream fearlessly, assuring them of full institutional support at every step of their journey. Satish Sharma expressed hope that the conference would serve as the foundation of a new era where every talented child, from the mountains of Kashmir to the plains of Jammu, is provided an equal opportunity to shine on the global stage. He concluded by reiterating the government’s resolve to make sports a powerful vehicle for youth empowerment, social inclusion and regional pride in Jammu and Kashmir. Director General, Youth Services and Sports, Anuradha Gupta and prominent persons from different fields and states along with senior officers of the Youth Services and Sports Department, were also present on the occasion.
Srinagar, March 4: Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) Wednesday hosted a high-level strategic meeting to strengthen collaboration between academic research and industrial innovation. The meeting was chaired by the Vice Chancellor SKUAST-K Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai. The session brought together prominent biotechnology and nutraceutical entrepreneurs from Bengaluru, Karnataka, to explore interdisciplinary partnership opportunities. The meeting focused on bridging the gap between laboratory-scale research and commercial technology transfer, specifically targeting sectors like sericulture, biotechnology, and functional food development. The industry delegation including, Dr. Srinivas, CEO, Aspartika Biotech Pvt Ltd; Dr Mousumi Mondal, Director, Mallipatra Nutraceutical Pvt Ltd; Aswathy Das, Director, Mightkondria Innovations LLP, and representatives from Lrigu Wellness Innovation LLP. Coordinated by Dr Aabid Khaliq Tantray of College of Temperate Sericulture, Mirgund, the discussions identified several critical pathways for developing market-ready products. The entrepreneurs briefed on their existing collaborations with institutions like Sri Paripoorna Sanathana Ayurvedic Medical College, highlighting their experience in the scientific validation of nutraceutical and Ayurvedic formulations. Primary focus of the deliberations was the establishment of a Common Instrumentation Facility to support advanced research in sericulture and the utilisation of its by-products. The participants also discussed the design of antibiotic-free poultry feed solutions and the creation of innovative nutraceutical formulations that leverage the unique biodiversity of the region. The meeting also emphasized the need for industry-oriented academic and skill-based programs, student exchange initiatives, and the strengthening of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) facilitation to protect and commercialize university-led innovations. The Vice Chancellor commended the visiting delegation for their efforts in building reputable enterprises from the ground up. He emphasized that such industry–academia partnerships are essential for accelerating innovation and translating scientific research into socially impactful, commercially viable solutions.
JAMMU, Feb 26: In a significant development, J&K State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) has entered into a strategic partnership with the Bharti Airtel Foundation for future-proofing of the youth of the region. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was formally signed to co-create and implement a comprehensive Life Skills Curriculum across the Union Territory, marking a pivotal move towards nurturing holistic and resilient learners. This landmark collaboration aims to go beyond conventional academics by embedding essential life competencies into the core of school education. The initiative is designed to equip students with the tools required to navigate the complexities of the modern world, with a focus on critical thinking, effective communication, emotional intelligence, creative problem-solving and sound decision-making. The ceremony was attended by prominent dignitaries from both organizations, reflecting their shared commitment to educational transformation. The signatories included Director, SCERT J&K Dr. Naseem Javed Chowdhary, Joint Director SCERT J&K Prof. (Dr.) Sindhu Kapoor, Chief Operating Officer Binu Nair, Regional Head Anil Bhatt and Project Head from Bharti Airtel Foundation Sourab Sharma. Dr. Naseem Javed Chowdhary highlighted the transformative potential of the initiative, stating that the partnership represents a cornerstone in redefining educational excellence in Jammu & Kashmir. He emphasized that by integrating a structured life skills framework, the initiative seeks not only to educate students but to empower them with the emotional and cognitive resilience necessary to thrive in a rapidly evolving world. The collaboration will adopt a multi-pronged strategy, including joint development of age-appropriate curriculum modules, extensive capacity-building programmes for teachers and master trainers and phased implementation across schools in the Union Territory. The overarching goal is to ensure sustainable and measurable impact on student development. Binu Nair, COO of Bharti Airtel Foundation, reiterated the Foundation’s commitment to educational innovation, expressing pride in partnering with SCERT J&K. He underscored the belief that education forms the bedrock of a thriving society and that the curriculum is designed to foster a growth mindset in students, enabling them to become not only academically proficient but also emotionally intelligent and socially responsible citizens. Prof. (Dr.) Sindhu Kapoor, Joint Director, SCERT J&K thanked Bharti Airtel Foundation and said the MoU signifies a shared vision to empower the next generation of Jammu & Kashmir with essential life skills to achieve personal well-being, academic success and professional readiness.
Srinagar, Feb 5: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Thursday informed the Legislative Assembly that the Public Administration subject was offered in a limited manner across several universities and Government Degree Colleges across J&K. The House was informed that the low student enrollment has restricted its wider expansion. In a written reply to a question raised by MLA Irfan Hafeez Lone, Minister in-charge Higher Education Department Sakina Itoo informed the House that at present Public Administration is being taught at the undergraduate level in 14 GDCs across the Union Territory. These include Srinagar Women’s College Zakura, Government Sheikh-ul-Alam Memorial Degree College Budgam, Government Degree College for Women Kathua, Government Women’s College Baramulla, Government Degree College Doda, Imtiyaz Memorial Government Degree College Shopian, Government Degree College Udhampur, Government Degree College Tangmarg, Government Degree College Anantnag, Abdul Ahad Azad Memorial College Bemina, Government Degree College Tral, Government Degree College Baramulla, Government College for Women Parade Ground Jammu and Amar Singh College Srinagar. The Minister further said that recent admissions in Public Administration ranged from as low as one student in Srinagar Women’s College Zakura to 83 students at Amar Singh College Srinagar, with several colleges reporting enrollments below the prescribed minimum. “The student enrollment in Public Administration in most of the colleges is well below the adequate level, indicating limited demand for the subject at present,” the Minister informed the House. "Wherever enrollment remained below the minimum threshold of 10 students, the programme was not offered during the academic session," the minister said. Sakina Itoo said the focus of the Higher Education Department remains on improving enrollment levels and ensuring optimal utilisation of resources in colleges where the course is already functional. She further said that introduction of new courses or subjects was strictly demand-driven. “Once a college identifies sufficient student interest, it submits a formal proposal to the department, which is examined subject to availability of infrastructure, faculty and other required resources,” she said. Regarding universities, the minister said that Public Administration is already being offered at the undergraduate level in certain affiliated colleges, while the University of Kashmir has introduced a Master’s Programme in Public Administration (MPA) in 2023 with an approved intake of 30 students, marking a phased expansion of the discipline at the postgraduate level.
