Jammu and Kashmir Education Minister Naeem Akhtar today said the political turbulence in the Valley should not be an excuse for under-performance of the government-run educational institutions.
"Education should not become a casualty of conflict. The political turbulence of the past more than two decades should not become an excuse for under-performance at our schools and colleges," Akhtar said.
He was speaking at the inaugural session of an inter- college debate competition on the topic "College Education in Kashmir is Listless" at SP College here.
Akhtar said colleges should give creative freedom to the students and allow their limitless transition from boyhood into adulthood.
"I see before me the challenge of bringing the education department alive and infusing a fresh breath into the system. I see a day when teachers and students may have to wake up at two in the night for lectures," he said.
He said education department has come into public focus which was a big achievement for the government.
"I have brought the discourse on education into focus again. We had lost ownership of our schools, colleges and our entire education department. But let me tell you, unless we fix the system of primary and secondary education, colleges will continue to remain listless," the minister said.
Praising the college management for restoring the flood-hit campus within a short span of time, he said people of Kashmir have often showed resilience in hard times.
"We have to ask ourselves have we given up and surrendered to the situation? Kashmir ruled this part of the world in not so distant past. Then we had no colleges and universities. Now with so much infrastructure, why aren't we repeating our past glories? That is my concern," Akhtar said.
The Minister said the patch of land from Kothi Bagh to SP College, despite being the best real estate in entire Kashmir, has failed to produce any cultural attraction in the historic city of Srinagar.
"It will be one of the greatest social interventions in our time if these facilities remain open till late. This land (from Kothi Bagh to SP College) is the most dead place in Srinagar, despite having high real estate value. Our children go out for fake certificates in courses which can be taught here and by the best of minds," he said.
"What stops you? Why don't we capture secular spaces in trade, technology, art and civil services. This is a mental barrier which I am yet to cross," he said.
The Minister also released the monthly newsletter and annual college magazine "The Pratap" on the occasion.
