Srinagar, Aug 24: Minister for Education, Health & Medical Education and Social Welfare Sakeena Itoo on Monday stressed the importance of quality, inclusive and holistic education in shaping the future of Jammu and Kashmir.

Addressing the Foundation Day celebrations of Maple Grove Education Institute, Rawalpora, the Minister said education remains the most important sector for the overall progress and development of society, with its impact extending far beyond classrooms.
She highlighted the crucial role of education in preparing young people to contribute meaningfully to the social, economic and democratic development of Jammu and Kashmir.
Itoo appreciated the contribution of both government and private educational institutions, saying several private institutions have made notable efforts towards improving academic standards.
She said a number of government middle, high and higher secondary schools were also performing exceptionally well, while stressing that there remained considerable scope for further improvement.
The Minister called for greater cooperation between the government and private sectors to strengthen the educational ecosystem and provide better opportunities to children.
Itoo emphasised that education should focus not only on academic achievement but also on character-building, values, responsibility and leadership.
She stressed the need for equality and inclusiveness in classrooms, asserting that no child should face discrimination on the basis of social or economic background.
“For us, children are one. We should never discriminate. Every child deserves equal opportunity to learn, grow and realise their potential,” she said.
Referring to her interaction with students during the programme, the Minister said she was encouraged by their aspirations for the future.
While some students expressed their ambition to become doctors, others spoke of entering public life and becoming ministers.
Itoo described these aspirations as a positive sign, saying the younger generation was increasingly confident about its ability to contribute not only professionally but also to public life and governance.
She called upon educational institutions to nurture such ambitions by creating an environment that encourages children to think freely, dream ambitiously and develop a strong sense of social responsibility.
The Minister said the children of today would shape the future of Jammu and Kashmir and urged schools to ensure that academic excellence, ethical values, inclusiveness and leadership qualities develop together.
Director School Education Kashmir, senior officers of the School Education Department, management and teachers of Maple Grove Education Institute, besides students and their families, attended the programme.