Onlykashmir.in News Desk
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday attended the annual awards ceremony of the Diocese of Jammu-Srinagar Education Society (DJSES), “Honour & Excellence 2026”, at the Convention Centre in Jammu.
The ceremony recognised meritorious students for their performance in the Class X and XII examinations, honoured employees completing 25 years of service and felicitated distinguished alumni of the Society.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said education should not be limited to academic achievement but must also focus on building good human beings with strong moral values, independent thinking and a sense of responsibility.
Recalling his school days at Burn Hall School, Srinagar, where he studied up to Class V, Omar Abdullah appreciated the Diocese’s contribution to education and character-building. He said the Society manages 24 schools across Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, educating around 28,000 students and providing employment to nearly 1,600 people.
He encouraged students to ask questions, develop curiosity and think independently. He also advised them to use Artificial Intelligence responsibly and to ensure that technology supports rather than replaces individual learning and critical thinking.
Congratulating the meritorious students, the Chief Minister appreciated the employees who had completed 25 years of service and acknowledged the contribution of teachers, staff and management to the education sector. The Society recorded an overall pass percentage of 99 per cent in the Class X and XII board examinations in the 2025-26 academic year.
Minister for Education Shamim Firdous also addressed the gathering and spoke about the contributions of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad and former Chief Minister Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah to the development of education. The Chief Minister also extended greetings on the forthcoming festival of Diwali, wishing people peace, happiness and prosperity.
Rt. Rev. Ivan Pereira, Bishop of Jammu-Srinagar and President of DJSES, Rev. Fr. Sebastian Nagathunkal, Vice President of DJSES, and other officials were present.
Missionary and church-run schools have been part of the educational landscape of Jammu and Kashmir for well over a century, and many prominent public figures in the region studied in such institutions. The Chief Minister’s reference to Burn Hall reflected that long association, and his emphasis on values echoed a theme often raised by educationists, who argue that exam results alone do not capture the purpose of schooling.
His remarks on Artificial Intelligence are also notable at a time when students increasingly use AI tools for homework and research. Teachers across the country have voiced concern that over-reliance on such tools could weaken analytical skills, and the Chief Minister’s advice to use them as support rather than a substitute fits within that discussion.
The DJSES’s 99 per cent pass rate, reported for the last academic year, underscores the strength of the Society’s network of schools across three regions.
