On Saturday, August 9, 2025, Additional Secretary Education Riffat Jabeen praised the intelligence, enthusiasm, and holistic development of students in remote areas during a mass Parent-Teacher Meeting (PTM) at Boys Higher Secondary School (BHSS) Kullan in Ganderbal, central Kashmir. Speaking to Rising Kashmir, she described the event as a “big opportunity” and expressed amazement at the students’ capabilities, noting that schools in remote areas are well-developed and align with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020’s focus on holistic growth.
Jabeen highlighted that while urban schools may have better facilities, rural students are performing remarkably well and deserve equal opportunities. She advocated for regular PTMs to strengthen parent-teacher connections and praised student-led stalls and exhibits as “impressive,” urging their continuation in rural areas. She also encouraged parents to ensure regular school attendance, affirming the Education Department’s support and the dedication of teachers.
Addressing staff shortages, Jabeen noted that the Education Department is undertaking rationalization at the CEO level to fill subject-specific vacancies. The PTM, part of a broader campaign under NEP-2020, was organized by the Education Department Ganderbal and DIET Ganderbal at cluster-level institutions, including Govt Higher Secondary School Gund, MS Ramwari, and Girls Higher Secondary School Ganderbal, with participation from nearby schools.
Chief Education Officer Ganderbal, Oneel Kumar, emphasized that the campaign spans cluster, zone, and district levels across government and registered private schools, urging parental support. Principal DIET Ganderbal, Manzoor Ahmad Najar, stressed the initiative’s goal of raising NEP-2020 awareness and committed to personally visiting schools to promote moral and ethical values among students.