‘Quality education, sustainable livelihood main focus of AJK govt’

MUZAFFARABAD: Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) President Sardar Masood Khan Saturday said his government focused on meaningful education, with an emphasis on quality, self-development and creation of sustainable livelihood.

He made these remarks while addressing the oath-taking ceremony of the newly appointed Metropolitan Students Council at a branch of a private sector school’s network.

Masood Khan congratulated the students on their selection and reiterated their responsibilities towards their institution, academics and the society.

He said these bodies would provide a great opportunity in sharpening their skills and enabling them to be a productive part of the society.

He urged that constructive partnerships and interactions were essential between private and public sector educational institutions, thereby helping raise the overall quality of education in the region.

The president said, currently, AJK had an 85 per cent literacy rate, and the highest educational scores in terms of learning, retention, enrollment and gender parity.

These numbers, he said, must be buttressed with quality and excellence from primary up to tertiary levels of education.

He said private schools had provided a great opportunity to the students in acquiring quality education and honing their skills.

He urged that an economic transformation was unfolding in AJK, and it was imperative that schools and educational institutions provide market-relevant skills to help avoid mismatches, enabling effective job placement of its students.

He said the difference between a developed and non-developed nation was the quality of education it provided to its citizens.

The president also said, “Along with academics, it was pertinent to inculcate character-building and values during the formative years of our children.”

He said every student must concentrate on self-development, self-improvement and pursue excellence in all their endeavours.

He urged the students to “never forget the sacrifices of our brothers and sisters in India-occupied Kashmir (IoK).” The people of IoK, the president said, are facing the worst form of torture and repression at the hands of the Indian occupation forces.

As global citizens of today and future leaders, he urged the students to strive towards advocating the rights of the Kashmiri people, and effectively engaging with the international community for this noble and just cause.