SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Tuesday said education and literacy were the foundations of a progressive and dignified society, while welcoming the Union Territory’s achievement of a 98.43 per cent literacy rate under the ULLAS-NBSK initiative.
In a message on International Literacy Day, Abdullah said an educated society was better placed to understand its rights and responsibilities, meet the challenges of a changing world and work towards progress and prosperity.
He described J&K’s achievement of the 98.43 per cent literacy rate as a matter of pride and said it was the result of collective efforts by people, teachers, students and institutions working to promote literacy.
Abdullah also credited the efforts of National Conference founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah for laying the foundations of educational awareness in Jammu and Kashmir.
He said Sheikh Abdullah had given importance to establishing educational institutions and promoting education as a means of social transformation, empowerment and removing backwardness.
“Since its inception, the National Conference has regarded education as a fundamental pillar of social and economic development,” Abdullah said.
He said the steps taken during Sheikh Abdullah’s tenure to establish educational institutions and expand access to education had ushered in a new era of awareness in J&K.
Abdullah said education should not remain confined to privileged sections and that children from poor, middle-class, remote and backward areas should have equal access to quality education.
He said the government headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was taking measures to strengthen the education sector by improving infrastructure in government institutions, enhancing educational facilities, promoting quality education and strengthening skill development and vocational education.
Abdullah also welcomed the passage of the Private Universities Bill during the last Assembly session, saying it would help expand higher education in J&K, create new opportunities for students, promote competition and provide them with greater choice.
