‘Poor infrastructure in Govt schools affecting education system in far-flung areas’

SHAKEELA ANDRABI

SRINAGAR: For the past two years, the School Education Department (SED) has been claiming of having registered around one lakh new admissions in government schools. In March 2023 a mega enrolment drive was held in various districts of the Kashmir division to enroll more children in the government schools. The campaign has been showing good results as many parents have enrolled their children in the government-run schools. The SED has been claiming of making the educational institutions more student friendly by establishing smart classrooms and by technical interventions like starting Computer Aided Learning (CAL) centres. However, these tall claims are nowhere on ground level in rural areas, where students are demanding basic infrastructural facilities in their schools. There are hundreds of examples in the Kashmir Valley where many Government schools in remote areas are deprived of school heads. There is shortage of basic infrastructure in government primary school Ganaie Mohalla MalporaSaderkot Bala area of Bandipora District, which is in a two room building that affects the education of the students. Students as well as locals of the area expressed displeasure over the education department and said that the students of three classes are reading in one room ,which affects their education. There is only one washroom for both boys and girls and there is also lack of kitchen facilities. Last year the STATE TIMES carried a detailed report regarding the poor conditions of Government schools in the Valley .There are still hundreds of examples in the Valley where most Government schools in remote areas are deprived of school heads, there is a shortage of teachers in government schools. According to latest reports, Government Primary School Baghpora Batingoo Kund Kulgam has only 2 rooms for 80 students, one room for class work and another for office purpose. According to local residents, the school was established in 2010 and till date no further construction has been done on it. Government Middle School Pace Bal Anantnag was established in 1975 and has only 2 rooms for 48 students, one room for class work and another for office work .According to locals, there are many students who belong to remote areas but the school has acute shortage of classrooms for the students.
School teacher said that, two years ago, teaching in the open air was a viable option, but due to hot and humid weather conditions, it has become impractical.
The government has failed to provide adequate accommodation for students in rural schools, teacher said adding that this forces students to attend classes under the open sky, which is not conducive to effective learning. Additionally, overcrowding in classrooms, where multiple classes are held in one room, hampers the students’ ability to understand what they are being taught, teacher further stated .
“The department is aware that there are no private schools in far off areas and students mostly prefer government schools for admission. Ironically, these schools are the worst victim of official neglect,” an official said. The ground situation of the schools depicts the grim picture and the department must address these grave issues on top priority to safeguard the student interest. If not smart classes, the government must provide basic facilities of classrooms to students of rural areas enrolled in government schools. Considering the poor conditions of government schools, the LG Manoj Sinha made a significant announcement on the ‘Teachers’ Day ‘ that appropriate funds will be provided for the improvement of 7,000 schools. The initiative aims to address the basic facilities that approximately 6,000 schools this year and additional 1,000 schools planned for next year.