After clubbing, Old Barzulla school to be de-clubbed

Srinagar, Dec 7: The J&K School Education Department (SED) is mulling de-clubbing of government schools. The move comes months after the department officially merged schools for having meager or zero enrolment of the students.

The initiative is being taken on the basis of the demand of local residents of different areas for reopening of the schools in their locality in order for their easy access to education.

As per the official communication addressed to Project Director Samagra Shiksha J&K, Chief Education Officer (CEO) Srinagar has sought de-clubbing and restoration of the UDISE code of GHS Barzulla which is currently clubbed with BHS Hyderpora.

As per the official document, the de-clubbing has been sought following physical inspection of the Hyderpora School by CEO Srinagar for verification of infrastructure and enrollment of the institution.

The inspection was conducted on July 24 of 2025 following which a committee was framed on the spot for submission of a detailed report.

The committee included, District Education Planning Officer (DEPO) Srinagar, Principal BHSS Rawalpora and ZEO Batamaloo.

"The committee submitted its report of the same where in the committee recommended for immediate restoration of UDISE codes (01030401803 of BHS Hyderpora and 01030401802 of GHS Barzulla)," the official communication reads.

The committee has also recommended de-clubbing of BHS Hyderpora and GHS Barzulla having enrollment of 86 and 64 students respectively.

"The respective schools have all the required infrastructure and buildings," the official document reads.

In the wake of this, the CEO has written to Project Director Samagra Shiksha and sought restoration of UDISE code of both the schools at the earliest keeping in view of improving academic delivery and addressing the genuine concerns of students and local community.

Notably, the residents of the Barzulla area earlier this year submitted a representation to CEO Srinagar and sought repatriation of Barzulla school to its actual place.

"The High School Barzulla was earlier clubbed with GHS Hyderpora which is situated at a considerable distance from our area. This arrangement has created continuous hardship for our students who are compelled to travel a long distance on a daily basis by foot," reads the representation addressed to CEO Srinagar.

"Such difficulties are seriously affecting their attendance, performance and overall well-being," it reads.

Old Barzulla, according to residents, is a densely populated area with a large number of school-going children.

"A government middle school already exists in the area and its infrastructure can conveniently accommodate the said high school if shifted back. Restoring the high school to old Barzulla will greatly ease the burden on our students and will fulfill the long-pending demand of the local population," it reads.

This newspaper earlier carried a series of stories regarding the merger of over 4400 schools by SED for having meager or zero enrollment.