Education is not merely the transmission of information from one generation to another. Its true purpose is the development of knowledge, character, skills, values, and the capacity to contribute positively to society. No education system can rise above the quality of its teachers. Recognising this reality, the Government established specialised institutions for teacher education and academic development. In Jammu & Kashmir, the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), formerly known as the State Institute of Education (SIE), and the District Institutes of Education and Training (DIETs) were created to strengthen the foundations of school education.

The SIE, which functioned for many years at M.A. Road, Srinagar, and later shifted to its modern campus at Bemina, was established as the apex academic institution for school education. It was entrusted with curriculum development, teacher training, educational research, textbook preparation, academic supervision, and the introduction of innovative teaching methods. During its earlier years, the institution was known for its academic excellence. Eminent educationists, subject experts, and dedicated trainers were posted there. Their efforts significantly contributed to improving teaching standards in schools across the region.

Similarly, DIETs were established in districts to serve as centres for teacher education and professional development. Their primary role was to train teachers, conduct educational research, support schools academically, and address local educational challenges. Together, SCERT and DIETs formed an important academic network aimed at improving the quality of education from the grassroots level. The importance attached to teacher education in earlier decades can also be understood from the locations where these institutions were established. In Srinagar, the State Institute of Education (SIE) functioned from M.A. Road, one of the most prominent educational and administrative centres of the city, before shifting to its present campus at Bemina. Similarly, in Jammu, the SIE was housed behind the Civil Secretariat at Palace Road, a prestigious location in the heart of the city, before being shifted to Muthi near the office of the Director School Education, Jammu. The establishment........

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