Srinagar, Jul 08: Calling education the biggest tool for progress and nation-building, Chief Minister’s Advisor Nasir Aslam Wani on Wednesday stressed the need to prepare both students and teachers for the emerging era of artificial intelligence (AI), while advocating values-based learning and skill development to meet the demands of the evolving job market.
Addressing an education programme here at SKICC, Wani said education is not merely a department but a movement that enables societies and nations to become economically and intellectually self-reliant.
He said history has shown that countries and regions which prioritised education transformed their economies and achieved remarkable progress.
Referring to Jammu and Kashmir, he said the Omar Abdullah-led government has accorded priority to the education and health sectors, describing them as the pillars of development.
Wani hailed the improving academic performance of students, saying recent outstanding examination results reflected the growing emphasis on education by the government, parents and society.
He said education should not remain confined to classrooms and textbooks, stressing the need to focus on character building, honesty, discipline, respect for elders and teachers, civic sense and awareness of laws from an early age.
“We have to prepare children for society and build their character alongside academics,” he said, adding that students should be equipped with values that help them become responsible citizens.
Highlighting technological advancements, the CM’s Advisor said the world has progressed from calculators and computers to the age of artificial intelligence, making it essential to train not only students but also teachers to adapt to changing times.
“We have to prepare the future generation with the skills needed for the evolving job market so they are ready to face new opportunities and challenges,” he said.
Referring to the National Education Policy (NEP), Wani said the policy framework is robust but called for its effective implementation to achieve the desired results.
Expressing satisfaction over the growing participation of girls in education, he said female students are consistently outperforming boys in several areas, which, he said, is a matter of pride—(KNO)
