Chief minister Omar Abdullah said education must go beyond marks to nurture good human beings. He praised the society’s 24 schools for shaping students' futures. "These schools produce successful people who remain good people," he said. He also encouraged students to use technology responsibly to enhance their own critical thinking.
Chief minister Omar Abdullah said that the purpose of education must extend beyond academic performance and marks to the development of well-rounded individuals with strong moral values, independent thinking and the ability to distinguish between right and wrong.
The ceremony recognised meritorious students for their outstanding performance in the Class 10 and 12 board examinations, honoured employees who had completed 25 years in service and celebrated distinguished alumni of the Society's educational institutions.
Omar praised the society's network of 24 schools across Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh, underscoring its role in providing quality education and shaping students' futures.
Recalling his association with the Diocese's educational institutions, particularly Burn Hall School, Srinagar, where he studied until Class 5, the chief minister reminisced about his school days and expressed appreciation for the contribution of the institution to education and character-building.
"These schools produce civil service officers, police officers, doctors and business leaders. But more than anything else, they produce successful people who remain good people," he said, adding that the true achievement of an educational institution lies in nurturing individuals who can distinguish between right and wrong and contribute positively to society.
Emphasising the need to cultivate independent learning, he encouraged students to develop reading habits and use artificial intelligence responsibly and ethically. He said technology should serve as a tool to enhance learning and understanding rather than become a substitute for individual effort, critical thinking and intellectual curiosity.