Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday launched the school education department’s e-Pathshala initiative, saying digital platforms are meant to supplement classroom teaching and help bridge learning gaps, not replace teachers.

The e-Pathshala channel will be available on DTH channel 53 for home-based learning across the Union Territory. Abdullah also inaugurated new hostel buildings and other development projects under the Samagra Shiksha scheme.

Addressing the event, he said the initiative marked the beginning of a larger plan to expand digital learning resources, with a long-term vision of having a dedicated channel for each class.

He underlined that technology cannot replace teachers, stressing that the relationship between a teacher and a student cannot be substituted by any device.

Sharing a personal anecdote, Abdullah said effective teaching can help even weak students perform better, recalling how a teacher in Srinagar helped him improve his performance in science during his school days.

He congratulated the education department and stakeholders for the initiative and said it could bring meaningful change if used properly. He also called for regular feedback from students and teachers to ensure the content remains relevant.

Abdullah said 14 of the 20 districts in Jammu and Kashmir have been made education-literate, while the remaining remote districts are expected to benefit significantly from the new channel.

He advised students to use technology constructively for education and learning, cautioning against excessive gaming, and encouraged children to develop reading habits alongside their regular studies.

Inputs from PTI

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