Education Conclave
Srinagar, July 8: In a significant move, the government on Wednesday revived appointments to School Lecturer posts, with the Chief Minister handing over appointment letters to 117 newly selected lecturers. These appointments are the first lecturer appointments in the Education Department in many years.
The Chief Minister also fulfilled his Budget 2026 commitment by announcing a full fee waiver for school and college students belonging to Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) families.
This move is expected to make education affordable and accessible.
These decisions were announced by the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah during Education Conclave 2026 – “Buniyaad Se Bulandi Tak” which was organised by Samagra Shiksha & Departments of School and Higher Education.
The conclave also saw the launch of several educational infrastructural and digital initiatives.
The CM inaugurated 2109 works in the Education sector worth more than 115 crore rupees, besides inaugurating a studio for virtual classes and a high tech auditorium for Government College of Engineering Technology Jammu.
Recognising the stellar academic performance of students, Omar also felicitated 67 meritorious school and college students and honoured National Award-winning teachers.
Earlier, the Chief Minister inspected exhibition stalls showcasing student innovations, institutional reforms and technological initiatives.
He praised these young minds, saying their innovative work ranging from patents to start-ups proved how technology and good education can solve everyday problems and help real people.
Appreciating Education Minister Sakina Itoo for initiating several reforms and budgetary interventions, Omar assured that the government would continue investing in educational infrastructure, institutional development, improving service conditions of teachers and academics to ensure an enabling environment for equitable access to quality education across Jammu and Kashmir.
He called teachers the backbone of society, pointing out that every single profession, whether it is doctors, engineers, soldiers, or police officers, starts with a teacher. He promised that the government would keep working to improve schools, help teachers, and make learning better for everyone.
The CM expressed satisfaction in the education sector of J&K especially with regard to students; he said, “I leave this conclave with renewed confidence in the future of Jammu and Kashmir.
After CM’s announcement, the School Education and Higher Education Departments issued two separate orders on tuition fee waiver for AAY students.
As per the School Education Department order, students of Classes IX to XII in Government Schools who belong to AAY households and possess a valid AAY Ration Card or any other prescribed document will be exempted from payment of all fees leviable by government schools.
Similarly, the Higher Education Department has approved a full fee waiver for undergraduate students from 1st to 8th semester enrolled in Government Degree Colleges. The benefit will be available to eligible AAY students with a valid AAY Ration Card or other prescribed documents, provided they are not receiving any other scholarship assistance.
However, both orders clarify that fees payable to any outside statutory authority or examining body, where not within the competence of the departments to waive, shall continue to be governed by applicable rules unless specifically exempted by the competent authority.
Heads of Institutions and Principals have been directed to verify the eligibility of beneficiaries before granting the waiver and to maintain proper records for audit, inspection and verification.
The financial implications arising from the scheme will be worked out by the concerned Directorates and communicated to the Administrative Departments for reimbursement from the Finance Department.
The Directors of School Education and Director Colleges have been instructed to ensure strict implementation of the orders, including verification of beneficiaries, maintenance of records, monitoring and submission of periodic reports.
