MUZAFFARABAD: The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government has decided to immediately implement key reforms for the strengthening and rationalisation of elementary and secondary educational institutions in addition to resolving longstanding issues faced by teachers on a priority basis.

The decision was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq on Thursday. Participants of the meeting included Minister for Elementary and Secondary Education Deevan Ali Chughtai, Minister for Home Affairs Waqar Ahmed Noor, Minister for Hydropower Generation Chaudhry Mohammad Rasheed, Secretary Inland Revenue Chaudhry Raqeeb, Secretary School Education Qazi Inayat, and other senior officials.

Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister stressed the need for effective rationalisation of staff and resources at the constituency level to ensure measurable improvements in institutional performance, adding that urgent efforts were required to improve the governance and efficiency of the education sector.

“The government is committed to strengthening educational institutions and will take all necessary steps to address staff shortages where required,” he said. “If we are investing billions in this sector, the results must reflect that investment.”

Mr Haq underscored that the education sector held the key to broader systemic progress. He said that while the government was striving for reforms across all sectors, meaningful improvement in education would naturally contribute to the advancement of the overall governance structure.

He also made it clear that, apart from fixing administrative gaps, the government would enact legislation wherever required to remove structural bottlenecks.

“We will provide all possible resources for public welfare and for the proper education and character-building of the younger generation,” he said.

Mr Haq directed participants to review all aspects of the education system thoroughly and take swift, result-oriented action where improvements were needed.

Earlier, Mr Inayat briefed the meeting on the current distribution of institutions across constituencies, recruitment and staffing needs, cadre-related issues, and other administrative challenges hindering efficient service delivery.

He also briefed the meeting on the financial implications of addressing these issues The meeting also discussed the long-pending matter of teachers’ upgradation. Prime Minister Haq directed that the matter be conclusively resolved without further delay, stressing that ensuring teachers’ professional rights and financial security was essential for upholding the constitutional right of quality education for future generations.

Published in Dawn, July 18th, 2025