Srinagar: Islamic Studies Teachers and Research Scholars’ Association (ISTRSA) on Friday congratulated JKNC Vice President Omar Abdullah on his appointment as Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir. The Association, while highlighting the role of higher education in the overall human development, urged the government head to do away with the delay in recruitment process in the sector.
“We extend our heartfelt congratulations to you and your party for securing the mandate of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Your appointment as the chief minister would usher a new chapter for the prosperity of Jammu and Kashmir more specifically in the field of higher education that deserves your kind attention.
Higher education plays an extremely important role in promoting human as well as societal well-being and in developing a nation into a democratic, just, socially-conscious, cultured, and humane nation upholding liberty, equality, fraternity, and justice for all.
Higher education significantly contributes towards sustainable livelihoods and economic development of the nation.
Given the 21st century requirements, quality higher education must aim to develop good, thoughtful, well-rounded, and creative individuals,” remarks a communique by the Association to CM Omar, further remarking “It must enable an individual to study one or more specialized areas of interest at a deep level, and also develop character, ethical and Constitutional values, intellectual curiosity, scientific temper, creativity, spirit of service, and 21st century capabilities across a range of disciplines including sciences, social sciences, arts, humanities, languages, as well as professional, technical, and vocational subjects.
A quality higher education must enable personal accomplishment and enlightenment, constructive public engagement, and productive contribution to society.”
“At the societal level, higher education must enable the development of an enlightened, socially conscious, knowledgeable, and skilled nation that can find and implement robust solutions to its own problems. It represents the key to more vibrant, socially engaged, cooperative communities and a happier, cohesive, cultured, productive, innovative, progressive, and prosperous nation as is enshrined in National Educational Policy, 2020 Document,” asserts the communique.
“The delay in recruitments in higher secondaries and colleges has however over the years not only affected the quality of education in such institutions but has equally pushed the highly qualified candidates to the brink of over-ageing. A huge number of doctoral and post-doctoral candidates are forced either to work on un-certain and insecure contractual bases or to live on small businesses like selling dry-fruits on carts as was witnessed recently in local and national media.”
“Students are often left in lurch due to the lack of faculty in the higher secondaries and colleges. Delayed appointment of contractual faculty make the things worse as the students don’t avail the complete working sessions as was the case with the recent academic session. As all the subjects require sufficient creation and advertisement of posts, Islamic Studies, a globally acclaimed subject has severe dearth of teachers both at higher secondary and college levels despite considerable enrolment of students for the subject,” reads the communique.
Remarking that, often non-specialists are given the responsibility of teaching Islamic Studies in higher institutions, the Association has remarked that the practice is triggering academic chaos among the students and diluting the academic vigor of the subject. It has further affected the decision of opting Islamic Studies by the desirous students at higher secondary and UG levels
“We request your gracious authority to look into the issue so that the future of a huge number of Ph.D scholars and students of Islamic Studies is safeguarded,” the communique reads further.
