Infrastructural gaps persistent problem in schools, major challenge for government

Srinagar, Oct 20: The government schools in Jammu and Kashmir continue to be marred by persistent infrastructural shortcomings, throwing a major challenge for the government to fill the gaps.

The tall claims of the government to bring reforms in the education sector have got deflated given the ground situation of schools even as the much hyped five year five-year plan to address the issue remains stalled.

In wake of the infrastructural gaps in schools, the students, particularly in the primary sections, are crammed into overcrowded classrooms, impinging on the quality of education they receive.

Given the onset of the early winters in Kashmir, the issue about the lack of basic facilities in has once again come to limelight as the dearth of facilities forces the government to announce early winter vacation, as was seen last year, The School Education Department last year announced the winter vacation from last week of November.

An official said the department was caught in a tight situation as the infrastructural gaps prevail in the government education sector at a time when the SED has surrendered over 600 surplus school buildings to other government departments.

"These buildings, left unused for several years, have failed to alleviate the accommodation crisis faced by school-going children. The officials are confused about how to address the issue of infrastructural gaps because on one side we are donating buildings to other departments while on the other hand students are deprived basic facility of a classroom," the official said.

Earlier, a national survey revealed a disheartening statistic that 66.4 percent of class 4th students in J&K share a classroom with more than one class, marking a significant increase from 2018’s 52.1 percent.

Additionally, approximately 72 percent of class 2nd primary students find themselves sharing classrooms with one or more classes.

This dire situation persists even as the J&K government declared 2022 and 2023 as the ‘Year of Academic Transformation’.

An official said that the infrastructural gaps in schools was a glaring issue while the successive regimes have failed to overcome the problem.

"During summers, the teachers in schools with inadequate facilities conduct classes under open sky but the harsh winter conditions amplify the challenges," the official said.

A school teacher from north Kashmir district told Greater Kashmir that despite talking about ambitious education reforms at the national and UT levels, the success of these initiatives hinges on addressing the fundamental issue of inadequate infrastructure in schools.

"We can think of reforms only after students are provided basic facilities in schools. The lack of infrastructure in schools remains a pressing concern. The inadequate facilities, especially in primary and middle-level schools, have led to multiple classes crammed into a single room," the school teacher explained.

The school teacher said that the dearth of infrastructure has severe consequences for students, especially those in kindergarten and primary classes who endure freezing conditions during winter.

"The situation not only jeopardizes their health but also impedes the learning process. At the beginning of the session, the department presses for achieving the mandated 200 or 220 academic days in a session but that is never achieved because we have failed to address the basic issues in schools," the school teacher said.

As already reported, the J&K administration earlier this year ordered formal closure of around 4400 schools which included the majority of primary schools besides 167 middle schools mostly in Jammu division.

The schools were earlier merged with nearby government schools for having meager or zero enrollment.

Notably, the present elected government in its manifesto has claimed to have a comprehensive approach to both school and higher education sector.

"By improving infrastructure, providing adequate resources, and ensuring well trained teachers, we will create a conducive learning environment," reads the Manifesto of the government.

It further reads that the besides upgrading infrastructure in schools it will modernise school buildings and smart classrooms with up-to date technology and resources," it reads.