30/01/2026
Grateful for recognition. Energised by responsibility.
I am deeply honoured that the Directorate of School Education included us as a stakeholder in the budget consultations chaired by the Hon’ble Chief Minister, Jammu & Kashmir, to deliberate on priorities for the education sector. For those of us who work at the grassroots of early learning, such recognition is not just personal - it is a validation that Early Childhood Education is finally being heard at the policy table.
Over the last two decades, across classrooms, curriculum design, teacher training and community engagement, one truth has remained constant: the future of a child and of a society is shaped long before Class 1.
The National Education Policy 2020 rightly places the Foundational Stage (ages 2–8) at the heart of education reform. Neuroscience and experience tell us the same story these years determine language development, emotional security, curiosity, and learning capacity for life. When we invest here, we prevent future learning gaps rather than trying to repair them later.
Jammu & Kashmir has made commendable progress in expanding access to early learning through Anganwadis and pre-primary sections. The next phase must now focus on quality, uniformity, trained educators, and age-appropriate pedagogy. This is where Public Private Partnerships in Early Childhood Education become critical combining public intent with professional expertise, innovation and scalability.
I am hopeful that with sustained dialogue, convergence, and intent, J&K can emerge as a national model for foundational education reform, fully aligned with the spirit of NEP 2020.
02/10/2025
02/10/2025
22/09/2025