In an exclusive conversation with NewsX, Showkat Hussain Khan, chairman of Doon International School, Srinagar, shared his views on the importance of quality schooling, especially in Jammu and Kashmir.
Taking a trip down memory lane, Khan said, “Fortunately, I was privileged enough to receive primary education in Jammu and Kashmir and that too from an English medium school. It was extremely uncommon those days and this gradually made me realise the critical importance of quality schooling in a child’s life along with attaining knowledge and other skills.”
“It was the experience of university days while pursuing higher studies in the department of Physics that I found the absolute necessity of quality school education and knowledgeable teachers in our region. I strongly felt that these two basic ingredients are the pressing priority and current need in the valley to uplift and educate the community and elevate the consciousness in youth.” he further added.
The school chairman credits his mother who was instrumental in shaping and motivating him. Khan said, “Right after coming out of university corridors, I invested my blood, sweat, and tears to empower my people through higher education. In 2006, I established the College of Education in Srinagar. In the next couple of years, it started catering to the needs of almost 5000 students and had several branches. Thus, students of neighbouring states such as Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Haryana along with J&K were also getting admission.”
The educationist also explained how in spite of starting the B.Ed college successfully he felt that he had not fulfilled his utmost duty and told us about a major turning point in his life. “I used to work tirelessly for the most fundamental procurement of having a need-based quality school, to galvanise and support school-going children. I decided to pursue my unfulfilled dream of having a state-of-art school with Doon International School, a franchisee name obtained from the main branch with the aim of felicitating and devising opportunities for Kashmiri students.”
Khan opened up about the challenges and obstacles he faced to run a school in a conflict-torn region of J&K. He informed, “Running a school in Srinagar in itself is a challenge. Doon International School, Srinagar is widely known for its emphasis on providing young children with a friendly, warm and homely environment. Classrooms are well-equipped with good infrastructure. The activity centre and play park provide areas for leisure and relaxation for the little ones outside their classrooms. The teaching is aided by technology through the use of tablets by children and teachers.”
Khan further explained what sets this school apart from others in the valley. “Every child in our campus is an inevitable part of our ongoing mission. The progress of primary and nursery students is tracked from a tender age to prepare them for the challenges of the current cut-throat competition in future. Teachers are well-groomed and trained with all academic virtues and soft skills.”
He also talked about the schooling system in the region, internet blockade and online classes with 2G speed. “As far as the 2G network is concerned our teachers have left no stone unturned to work on the students even in the critical phases of the pandemic. As a school, it has set another benchmark by satisfying the parents and the stakeholders in this prolonged phase of social crisis.
On a concluding note, the school chairman mentioned how this school encourages sports, Khan said, “We have set up MS Dhoni Cricket Coaching Academy in the school campus. This is the first venture meant for students who are cricket lovers, and will continue to provide opportunities to the youth in the valley.”