Anver Hussain Wani
Education is not merely about imparting knowledge; it is about shaping character, nurturing potential, and preparing young minds to become responsible citizens. The future of any nation depends upon the quality of education it provides today. If we truly aspire to realize the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, we must recognize that the most important ingredients of educational transformation are not only infrastructure, technology, or policy reforms, but also a deep sense of ownership and mentorship towards schools and students. In recent years, significant efforts have been made to improve educational infrastructure. Smart classrooms, well-equipped laboratories, digital learning platforms, libraries, sports facilities, and teacher-friendly initiatives have undoubtedly enhanced the learning environment. These investments are essential and deserve appreciation. However, buildings and technology alone cannot produce meaningful learning outcomes. Educational excellence is built upon human relationships, commitment, and responsibility.
Ownership means treating the school not merely as a workplace or an institution, but as a shared responsibility. Every stakeholder—teachers, school leaders, parents, students, communities, and educational administrators—must consider the success of the school as a personal mission. When ownership becomes a culture, classrooms become more vibrant, campuses more welcoming, and learning more meaningful. Problems are addressed proactively rather than ignored, and every achievement becomes a collective accomplishment. Equally important is mentorship. Every child deserves at least one adult who believes in them, guides them, and inspires them to discover their potential. A teacher’s role extends far beyond completing the syllabus or preparing students for examinations. Teachers are mentors who cultivate curiosity, confidence, resilience, ethical values, and a passion for lifelong learning. Their influence often shapes the character of students long after they leave school. NEP 2020 envisions an education system that develops learners intellectually, emotionally, socially, ethically, and creatively. It emphasizes holistic development rather than rote memorization. Such a vision cannot be achieved through infrastructure alone. It requires schools where every student feels valued, supported, and encouraged to excel according to their unique abilities. This is only possible when mentorship becomes an integral part of school culture. Ownership and mentorship are closely connected.
“Transforming schools into centers of excellence and realizing the vision of NEP 2020 requires pairing infrastructure investment with human commitment, active ownership, and mentorship to raise capable, compassionate, 21st-century-ready students.”
A teacher who feels ownership naturally mentors students with dedication. A school leader who takes ownership creates an environment where teachers thrive. Parents who embrace ownership actively participate in their children’s education. Communities that feel connected to schools contribute to their growth and sustainability. Together, they create an ecosystem where every child can flourish. Holistic development also includes emotional well-being, life skills, creativity, critical thinking, teamwork, leadership, environmental awareness, and social responsibility. These qualities are nurtured not through textbooks alone, but through meaningful interactions, encouragement, and positive role models. A caring mentor can often change the trajectory of a child’s life more profoundly than any piece of technology. The success of NEP 2020 ultimately depends on transforming the mindset of all stakeholders. We must move from a culture of administration to one of ownership, from supervision to mentorship, and from compliance to commitment. Policies provide direction, infrastructure provides support, but people provide purpose.
The need of the hour is not merely to build better schools but to build stronger relationships within schools. A school becomes truly successful when every teacher teaches with purpose, every student learns with confidence, every parent participates with trust, every leader serves with vision, and every member of the community contributes with a sense of responsibility. Education is a shared mission. When ownership becomes our attitude and mentorship becomes our practice, schools transform into centres of excellence, students develop into capable and compassionate individuals, and the vision of NEP 2020 moves from policy to reality. By investing not only in infrastructure but also in human commitment, we can create an education system that truly prepares our children for the challenges and opportunities of the twenty-first century.
(The author is, a teacher and President, Jammu and Kashmir General Line Teachers Forum. The views, opinions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the author and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”)
