Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday launched the e-Pathshala initiative of the School Education Department, emphasising that digital platforms are intended to supplement classroom teaching and help bridge learning gaps, not replace teachers.
The e-Pathshala channel will be available on DTH Channel 53, enabling home-based learning across the Union Territory. On the occasion, the Chief Minister also inaugurated new hostel buildings and other development projects under the Samagra Shiksha scheme.
Addressing the gathering, Abdullah said the initiative marks the beginning of a broader effort to expand digital learning resources, with a long-term vision of providing a dedicated channel for each class.
“This is just a small step. Our intention should be that every class has its own channel. Gradually, we will expand these channels, and there will be a separate channel for each class,” he said.
He clarified that the introduction of e-classrooms and digital channels should not be seen as an attempt to reduce the role of teachers.
“Whether connectivity exists or not, physical teachers cannot be replaced, and we have no intention of replacing them. The relationship between a teacher and a student cannot be substituted by any device or technology,” Abdullah said.
Highlighting the transformative role of good teachers, the Chief Minister shared a personal anecdote from his student days to underline how effective teaching can help even weak students excel.
“A good teacher can take even the weakest students to great heights,” he remarked.
Recalling his school days, Abdullah said he had little interest in science as a child and was expected to struggle in physics and chemistry. He credited teacher Sat Lal Razdan for changing that perception through dedicated guidance and discipline, adding that he scored his highest marks in science under Razdan’s mentorship.
Congratulating the education department and all stakeholders, Abdullah said the e-Pathshala initiative, if used effectively, has the potential to transform the lives of children across the Union Territory. He also called for regular feedback from students and teachers to ensure that the content remains relevant and beneficial.
The Chief Minister noted that 14 out of the 20 districts in Jammu and Kashmir have been made education-literate, while the remaining districts—mostly remote areas—stand to benefit significantly from the new digital channel.
On the use of mobile phones and screens, Abdullah stressed that technology should be used constructively for education, learning and mental development, while cautioning against excessive screen time for gaming. He also emphasised the importance of cultivating reading habits among children, encouraging them to read books, magazines and newspapers in addition to textbooks.
