Omar Abdullah Regularises 863 Education Department Workers, Launches Major Digital Reforms in J&K
SRINAGAR: In a major employee welfare step, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday distributed regularisation orders to 863 Contingent Paid Workers (CPWs) of the School Education Department from various districts across the Jammu division, fulfilling a long-pending demand of the department’s workforce.
The distribution ceremony also witnessed the inauguration of the Vidya Samiksha Kendra under the Samagra Shiksha initiative, along with the launch of several ICT-driven and data-based platforms aimed at transforming and modernising the education system across Jammu and Kashmir.
The event was attended by Minister for School Education Sakina Itoo, Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, MLAs Pyare Lal and Er Khurshid Ahmed, and senior education officials, including Secretary, School Education Department Ram Niwas Sharma, and Project Director, Samagra Shiksha Bhawani Rakwal.
“Fulfilling a Commitment to the Workforce”
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah described the move as a “long-overdue act of justice” for the CPWs, praising their dedication, patience, and years of service. He commended Minister Sakina Itoo and the education department for their coordinated efforts in making the regularisation possible, calling it a “significant welfare milestone.”
Highlighting the government’s developmental focus, Abdullah announced that nearly 1,000 infrastructure projects are currently under execution in the education sector, with Rs 450 crore allocated for civil works. He added that by March 2026, all Higher Secondary and High Schools across Jammu and Kashmir will be equipped with smart classrooms, laboratories, and digital learning tools, ensuring students can compete with their peers nationally.
Reflecting on his administration’s first year, the Chief Minister said, “We faced numerous challenges, but every effort was directed towards meaningful progress. The regularisation of CPWs demonstrates our government’s commitment to fairness and inclusivity.”
He urged the newly regularised employees to work with renewed dedication, emphasizing that “the future of our children depends on the quality of education we deliver today.”
Recognition for Student Achievers
During the ceremony, the Chief Minister also felicitated 25 NEET and JEE qualifiers from the Jammu region, presenting them with certificates and tablets as a token of appreciation and encouragement.
Minister Sakina Itoo: ‘A Day of Relief and Recognition’
Minister for School Education Sakina Itoo hailed the initiative as “a day of relief and recognition” for hundreds of families who had waited years for this moment. She credited the Chief Minister’s leadership and unwavering commitment for making the regularisation possible.
She added that nearly 400 CPWs in Kashmir have already been regularised, while remaining cases are under active consideration, ensuring parity and fairness across both regions.
Advisor Wani: ‘A Symbol of Constructive Governance’
Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani described the day as “historic,” symbolising one year of transparent and constructive governance under Omar Abdullah’s leadership. He reaffirmed the government’s dedication to inclusive development, fair employment practices, and institutional reform.
Digital Transformation in Education
Earlier, Secretary Ram Niwas Sharma highlighted the administration’s focus on institutional strengthening, digital transformation, and capacity building within the education sector.
As part of this digital shift, the Chief Minister unveiled the Vidya Samiksha Kendra, a data-driven educational monitoring and analytics hub, and launched several innovative ICT initiatives, including JK DigiLearn, Shikshak Sahayak, JK Edu Insights, JK MIS, JK CRM, and the Teachers Analytics Portal.
These initiatives aim to promote data-informed decision-making, improve teacher performance monitoring, and ensure efficient education delivery across the Union Territory.
A Step Toward Educational Reform
The regularisation drive and the launch of advanced educational technologies mark a new chapter in the government’s mission to reform and revitalise Jammu and Kashmir’s education system.
With a strong focus on transparency, modernisation, and empowerment, the Chief Minister reiterated that his government remains committed to building a robust and inclusive learning environment for every student in the region.