“Schools Must Prepare Children for Life, Not Just Exams”: CM Omar Abdullah
“Schools Must Prepare Children for Life, Not Just Exams”: CM Omar Abdullah
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday called for an education system that equips children with critical thinking, digital literacy and problem-solving skills, stressing that schooling must prepare them for life beyond examinations.
He was speaking at the School Leader of the Year 2026 Summit and Awards in New Delhi, which brought together educators, principals and institutional heads to recognise leadership and innovation in school education.
Omar Abdullah said school principals and headteachers played a significant role in shaping students’ values, aspirations and learning environments. Effective leadership, he added, was essential to creating safe, inclusive and student-centred institutions.
Emphasising holistic development, the Chief Minister said education should extend beyond academic performance to foster creativity, communication, collaboration and adaptability. He said students must be equipped to navigate emerging challenges with confidence and a sense of responsibility.
On the growing role of technology and artificial intelligence (AI), Omar Abdullah called for their responsible use to improve learning outcomes, personalise education and assist teachers. He stressed that technology should complement, rather than replace, the human element in teaching and learning.
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He also highlighted the need for continuous professional development for teachers and school leaders, saying that exposure to innovative teaching practices, knowledge-sharing and collaboration could help strengthen educational institutions.
The Chief Minister called for equitable access to quality education, particularly for children in rural, remote and underserved areas. He said governments, educators, institutions, parents and communities needed to work together to address children’s varied academic, social and developmental needs.
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He further stressed the importance of collaboration between educational institutions in India and abroad to exchange successful practices, encourage innovation and improve educational standards.
Omar Abdullah said recognising outstanding school leadership could encourage institutions to adopt effective practices suited to their own circumstances. During the event, he felicitated the heads of several educational institutions for their contributions.
Among those present were Achyuta Samanta of the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology; Dalip Sharma, executive chairman of the Association of Indian Principals (AIP); Kashish Jhamb, AIP chief technology officer and chief executive officer of City Innovates; and Rajesh Pasari, managing director of Macmillan Education India.
Chancellors and senior officials from Indian and international universities, representatives of Austrade, school founders, directors, principals and heads of educational institutions from across the country also attended the summit.