Srinagar, Feb 11: Minister for Education, Health and Social Welfare Sakina Itoo on Wednesday described health, education and social welfare as a “single lifeline” interconnected with every household, while defending budgetary grants for the three departments in the Assembly.
Speaking during the discussion on grants, Itoo said the allocations are not merely financial provisions but commitments linked to the well-being of families across Jammu and Kashmir.
“It is about the mother who wants her child to wake up healthy, the teacher who wants a classroom where every child can dream freely, the elderly father who wants dignity in his final years, and the young person who wants hope—not promises,” she said.
Calling the three sectors interdependent, she added, “When health is weak, education suffers. When education fails, poverty grows. When social welfare collapses, dignity is lost.”
The Minister thanked Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for what she termed “extraordinary budget provisions” for these sectors despite financial constraints. She said the allocations would help improve quality of education, healthcare services and welfare outreach.
Turning to education reforms, Itoo said the sector had “suffered from frequent experiments without consultation” between 2014 and 2024. “Teachers were overburdened, and students paid the price,” she said.
She noted that the Council of Ministers, in its first meeting, restored the academic session from March to November, calling it a long-pending demand of parents and students.
Highlighting administrative measures, the Minister said the selection process for 954 lecturer posts referred to the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC) is in its final stage. Additionally, 727 non-teaching posts and 43 MTS posts under the direct recruitment quota will soon be referred to the recruiting agency.
She informed the House that 58 principals were promoted as in-charge Chief Education Officers (CEOs) and DIET principals last year. Between January 2025 and 2026, 258 senior lecturers were placed as in-charge principals, while 58 masters and teachers were designated as in-charge lecturers in various subjects. Thirty-one in-charge lecturers have been regularised.
The Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) has recommended regularisation of 289 in-charge lecturers. Further, 5,051 PG masters/teachers were placed as in-charge headmasters, with 16 regularised during the past year.
Itoo said the seniority list of 4,564 PG masters in different subjects from 2005 to January 2026 under the gazetted cadre has been issued. A tentative seniority list of 1,028 PG masters is being finalised. Under the non-gazetted cadre, 1,553 teachers have been elevated as masters.
On capacity building, she said over 37,000 teachers were trained last year. Infrastructure upgrades are planned for 1,734 kindergartens in 82 high and secondary schools. KG classes have been established in 15,550 government schools, with AAYA helpers engaged for support.
The Minister added that 53 girls’ hostels and 28 Kasturba Gandhi BalikaVidyalayas (KGBVs) are being completed and upgraded. During the current financial year, the government has proposed the construction of 329 additional classrooms in high schools and 400 in senior secondary schools.
Reiterating that health, education and social welfare form the foundation of a progressive society,Itoo said the government remains committed to teacher empowerment, institutional strengthening and ensuring that “poverty does not determine quality.”
