Strengthening education in Jammu and Kashmir requires urgent revitalisation of key teacher-training institutions such as the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) and District Institutes of Education and Training (DIETs), which were originally created to improve school education standards through research, training and academic guidance.
SCERT, earlier known as the State Institute of Education (SIE), and DIETs were established as core institutions responsible for curriculum development, teacher training, educational research, and academic supervision across the region. In their early years, these institutions played a significant role in improving teaching quality through expert guidance and structured academic programmes.
Over time, however, concerns have emerged regarding their declining effectiveness. While infrastructure has improved, the academic output and impact have not matched expectations. One of the key issues highlighted is the perception that postings in these institutions are sometimes treated as adjustment placements rather than merit-based academic appointments.
The opinion piece stresses that educational institutions depend heavily on qualified and motivated human resources. When staff are not selected based on expertise and interest in teacher education, curriculum development and research, the overall quality of academic work suffers.
It calls for a shift towards a merit-based and performance-driven staffing system in SCERT and DIETs, ensuring that professionals with experience in pedagogy, educational psychology, research and academic planning are placed in appropriate roles. Continuous training and exposure to national and international best practices is also recommended.
The article further emphasises the importance of strong institutional leadership. SCERT, in particular, should function as an independent academic authority with a clear vision, capable of guiding curriculum reforms, teacher training and educational innovation across the Union Territory.
It also highlights the need for structured induction training for newly recruited teachers, focusing on classroom management, child psychology, inclusive education, assessment techniques and modern teaching methods before they assume independent teaching responsibilities.
According to the piece, DIETs should be strengthened as district-level centres of excellence that regularly conduct workshops, teacher mentoring programmes, classroom research and local-level educational problem-solving initiatives.
The opinion argues that SCERT should evolve into a central academic think tank for school education in Jammu and Kashmir, while DIETs function under its guidance to ensure uniform standards and improved learning outcomes.
It also underlines the importance of integrating digital tools in teacher training, including online modules, virtual learning platforms and digital resource centres to expand access and improve efficiency.
Ultimately, the article concludes that improving teacher quality is the most effective way to improve student learning outcomes. Strengthening SCERT and DIETs is therefore not only an administrative reform but a long-term investment in the future of education and human development in Jammu and Kashmir.
