Restoring Hope Through Schools: How Sogam’s Education Is Changing

Rais Ahmad Bhat

Mr. Mushtaq Ahmad Mir the Zonal Education Officer of Sogam has brought a new wave of hope and enthusiasm to the education sector in the education zone Sogam. Since joining on February 22nd 2025 the officer has been working tirelessly to improve the quality of education and make it more accessible to all. He took stock of the zone by holding meetings with all the Heads of schools and took analysis of when and how to tie the knot and make educational uplifting. This initiative has helped to identify the strengths and weaknesses of each school and develop strategies to address the areas that need improvement.

The officer organised a training program of Zemadari 2.0 as per the guidelines of Chief Education Officer Kupwara and made all the teachers abreast as to how to get the academic side of the education zone strong .The training program was designed to equip teachers with the latest teaching methodologies and techniques.

The teachers were trained on how to use technology to enhance teaching and learning and how to make the classroom environment more interactive and engaging taking into consideration basic numeracy reading and writing skills .These training programs have been instrumental in improving the quality of teaching in the zone.

The training programs were highly successful and resulted in a significant improvement in the quality of teaching in the education zone Sogam.As schools opened in March 2025 with a new dawn the Zonal Education Officer Sogam made the opening of schools a grand celebration by circulating the message that students be welcomed with toffees and garlands.

Enrolment drives were started throughout the zone thereby attracting more students towards government schools for larger benefits. These enrolment drives have been successful in increasing the number of students in government schools and improving the overall enrolment ratio in the zone.A grand enrolment campaign of such kind was organised by the said officer at central school Tekipora zone Sogam.

To make the students competitive a mega event of guidance and counselling program was coordinated by the worthy Zonal Education Officer Sogam Mr Mushtaq Ahmad Mir in collaboration with the respected Principal BHSS Sogam and respected Principal GHSS Sogam as per the guidelines from higher ups .

The program was graced by the honourable DDC members  of Lolab and a rainbow gathering of guests including worthy SDM Lolab worthy JD North worthy CEO Kupwara all the respected Principals of Lolab all the worthy zonal education officers from district kupwara District cultural coordinator kupwara and zonal cultural coordinators of district Kupwara.The program was a huge success by the presence of the special guest Dr G N Itoo Director School Education Kashmir.

This grand program provided a platform for students to interact with experts and get guidance on various aspects of life. The students were given guidance on how to choose the right career path and how to overcome the challenges they may face in life.The program also provided an opportunity for students to interact with each other and share their experiences and ideas.

During the cross border tension in 2025 many people from border areas were rehabilitated at GDC Sogam .In the rehabilitation centre apart from taking part and participating in different assignments as directed by SDM Lolab Mr Mir made the teaching learning process possible at the rehabilitation centre by utilisation of the services of teachers of the zone which was the testament to the fact that officer works with dent and has a humble heart .

To sort out the issues of education zone Sogam the Mr Mir also made arrangements for the educational review meeting with the honourable MLA Lolab Quisar Jamshed Lone where all the lacunas regarding educational upliftment were conveyed to honourable MLA Lolab and necessary steps were put under discussion .This meeting helped to identify the areas that need improvement and develop strategies to address them.

During this one year of his tenure Mr Mushtaq Ahmad Mir worked a lot on the development of infrastructure of the schools as well Many new buildings for schools of the zone were completed as completion of Govt PS Gujarpaty Surigam Govt  Bhat Mohallah Surigam Govt PS Rangwar Khodi Govt GMS Tekipora Govt BMS Tekipora Govt GHS Lalpora and six new kindergartens were opened in the zone thereby making education an example of excellence.

The new buildings provided a conducive learning environment for students and the kindergartens provided a strong foundation for young learners. The Zonal Education Officer Sogam in collaboration with the Zonal Education Planning Officer Sogam  visited and inspected almost all the schools of the zone Sogam and attended classes thereby helped to ensure that the teachers are teaching effectively and that the students are learning properly.

Many national local and various other flagship programs were run by the officer in tune with the guidelines of NEP 2020 and as per the directions from Higher ups  viz Nasha Mukht Bharat Abhiyan, Mother’s Day celebrations, Health Day, Yoga Day, World Environment Day,  Gandhi Jayanti and many others programs were also run by the officer to make the students and society abreast with the current happenings of the world and to value these special days.

Environment day was celebrated with full enthusiasm plantation drives were conducted and  a grand symposium competition on environment was held at BMS Sogam in which students across the zone participated which was the brainchild of Mr Mir .Honourable DDC member Nasir Nazir Lone was the chief guest in the event at BMS SOGAM organised by zonal education officer.

Another innovative step of Mr Mir to strengthen the educational scenario was that the officer took academic meetings with HOIs of the zone sogam cluster-wise and met every HOI one to one sorted out grievances of teachers on the spot and provided necessary support and guidance to improve the quality of education. The officer also ensured that all schools had the necessary resources to provide quality education to students and that all teachers were properly trained and equipped to deliver the curriculum. These meetings have been instrumental in improving the quality of education in the zone.

The Zonal Education Officer attended an educational conference at SKICC Srinagar along with zonal coordinator Sogam where honourable Chief Minister jinaab Umar Abdullah was the chief guest. The conference provided a platform for educationists to share their experiences and ideas on how to improve the quality of education and make education more accessible and inclusive.This conference has been instrumental in providing valuable insights and ideas on how to improve the quality of education in the education zone Sogam.

Mass parent-teacher meetings were held across the length and breadth of the zone and a grand PTM was held at BHS WaniDorusa where a handsome number of officers parents and students participated .

In the Independence Day Celebrations 2025 the Officer made an indelible mark by beautiful and colourful cultural events which was made possible by the judicious utilisation of the cultural education team of zone Sogam thereby making this years Independence Day a beautiful and historic one.As directed by worthy SDM LOLAB Dr Mudasir Ahmad Mr Mir also played an important and crucial role in the Tiranga rally by ensuring the presence of about 1500 participants students teachers physical education teachers AAYAs from education department.The officer was awarded an award of excellence by SUB DIVISIONAL ADMINISTRATION LOLAB for making the Independence Day program and Tiranga rally a grand success.

Many DIET programs were also conducted by the worthy Zonal Education Officer Sogam including Quantum Age Begin and Environmental Building for CWSN. These programs have been instrumental in improving the quality of education and promoting holistic development of students.

The zone also organised grand talent hunt KALA UTSAV  under able guidance of Mr Mir where students across the zone showcased their talents in   different categories of dance singing music art etc and first position holders from zone Sogam participated in the Kala Utsav competition a district-level talent hunt program where our zone got first position in five categories at the district level and were called for the state-level competitions.

Pertinent to mention here our zone sogam also got selected at DIET Kupwara for state level role play and folk song dance competition These achievements are a testament to the creative and artistic talents of our students.

The Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Test (FLNAT) Phase-3 was conducted in October 2025 under a centrally sponsored flagship programme designed to strengthen national literacy outcomes and advance the vision of transforming India into a developed nation by 2047.

The assessment was administered in Zone Sogam under the supervision of the Worthy Zonal Education Officer Sogam Mr Mir in coordination with zonal planning officer Mr Malik Nazir in a conducive and orderly environment. More than five hundred previously unassessed learners participated in the examination marking a significant step towards comprehensive foundational learning coverage.

Both the worthy Zonal Education Officer Mr Mir Mushtaq and the worthy Zonal Education Planning Officer Mr Malik Nazir were felicitated by the Lolab sub divisional administration for their outstanding work and visionary leadership and unwavering dedication to the noble cause of ameliorating the lives of destitute children within education zone Sogam which is a testament to their dedication and commitment to the education sector and towards the society.

Uniform date sheet as given by DIET Kupwara was implemented for summative assessment in letter and spirit across the education zone Sogam .Pertinent to mention here is that summative assessment was checked and monitored by both Officers and a transparent mechanism was made possible in order to make the decency of the examination tact .

By the hardwork and utilisation of the services of the officer The zone Sogam maintained rank one almost in two weeks and at number two in the entire month in enrolment campaigns which was a testament to the hard work and trust of parents in the work culture of teachers and officers.

The Zonal Education Officer while addressing a news channel in a grand enrolment drive at GMS Tekipora where almost all the officers of the district kupwara became zenith of the program said that all credit goes to his teachers who worked hard and made this year a year of excellence.

He appreciated the efforts of teachers and officers who worked tirelessly to achieve the goals of the zone and thanked the parents and students for their support and cooperation.

Mr Mir Mushtaq also highlighted the importance of teamwork and collaboration in achieving success and expressed his gratitude to all those who contributed to the success of the zone.

Let this be an inspiration to all those who aspire to make a difference in the lives of others. Hard work dedication and a passion for serving others can take you a long way and bring about a positive change in the society. We must learn from the example set by Mr. Mushtaq Ahmad Mir and strive to make a difference in our own way by working selflessly and tirelessly towards the betterment of our communities and society at large.

We must also recognize and appreciate the efforts of those who are working hard to make a difference in the lives of others and provide them with the necessary support and encouragement to continue their good work.

We must also strive to create a society that values education and promotes the holistic development of all individuals by providing access to quality education and opportunities for growth and development. We can empower individuals and communities to reach their full potential and make a positive impact on the world.

Author is an Academician, Author, Columnist and  a Stage host. He  Can be reached at  Bhatraisahmad1106@gmail.com