Though Kashmir Valley is limping back to normalcy, cases of arson and vandalism have become order of the day. With another Primary school building set ablaze in Baramulla today, the number of schools vandalised by miscreants raised to 22 including three private schools in the 100 days of unrest post Hizbul terrorist Burhan Wani killing.
The present unrest has affected the education very badly. Even the separatists were step ahead when they issued diktats on dress and riding scooties for girl students. Though Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has said categorically to complete the syllabus in time the ground situation is Taliban-like condition has taken its toll on the overall education. Education is affected by social, political and economic status of people. Individuals who are from wealthy section of the society always have the privilege to reach out for better schools and institutions. While those from the deprived section are prone to lower quality, in the process, the system contributes to a deepening chasm. On the other hand, the educationally enlightened group gains more access to political and economic system turning them to be favorable to suit their interest of their own kinds. Such a structure has an adverse effect in the deprived section affecting them from multifarious direction. It is evident from the observation that if educational inequalities can be decimated, a huge change will follow in the social structure. However, to obtain the very change educational disparity, impetus from political and economic sector is inevitable. In Jammu and Kashmir the decline in standards was partly caused by militancy. More than 5,000 schools were destroyed in arson attacks. Transforming such a ‘disease-rotten’ education system is a tough task, anywhere. In troubled Jammu and Kashmir, it can be a little more difficult. What is needed is an education system which should address the aspirations of various groups by promoting their language, culture and heritage to provide a compact package for growth of children. An extended, comprehensive programme is required with an investment in peaceful coexistence and social harmony.
