Srinagar, Dec 23 (KNO): In 2025, Jammu and Kashmir's School Education system was confronted by some hard truths. The reality on the ground with poor learning outcomes, crumbling infrastructure, poor teaching quality was dramatically different than the actuality on ground.
However, the department had taken some important steps to overcome some of the major issues like inadequate staff, infrastructure and students enrolments.
The educational system was left in a 'sorry state' due to continued high dropout rates, continuing poor learning levels, and continuing lack of adequate resources.
As such, there was an urgent need for accountability, a substantial investment in quality, and a clear re-direction of focus from enrolling students, to providing all students with quality educational opportunities and helping ensure that they received that quality education.
In the outgoing fiscal year, the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) published a series of stories—highlighting the developments and loopholes in the School Education Department of Jammu and Kashmir.
Issues….
Academic session short by over 30%
In the academic session 2024-2025, Jammu and Kashmir has recorded deficit academic days by more than 30 percent.
An official had informed that in the academic year 2024-25, Jammu and Kashmir has recorded below 150 working academic days against the mandated 220 days.
It also said that there shall be a minimum of at least 180 academic days in a year. “In one academic year, at least 180 working academic days are considered fairly good but unfortunately, there were less than 150 academic days due to the inclement weather, flood like situation and extended summer vacations.”
“Although, almost all the government schools complete their syllabi but there were time constraints that burdened the kids,” the official said.
Why students prefer Pvt Schools over Govt Institutes?
The government school in Jammu and Kashmir despite having 244 percent extra institutions in comparison to private schools, the Teacher School Ratio (TSR) in public schools is very low.
KNO had reported that in only 5452 private schools, more than 12 Lakh students were enrolled in comparison to the 18,785 government schools wherein only over 14 Lakh students were enrolled—thus raising a question on claims of the authorities with regard to the influx in student enrolment in government-run-schools.
The official figures reveal that there are a total of 5452 private schools in Jammu and Kashmir wherein at least 70,234 teachers are posted to teach over 12,03,064 students.
However, in a shocking revelation, the official figures reveal that there were a total of 14,21,643 students in 18,785 government schools wherein at least 96,380 teachers were posted.
3rd highest dropout rate
With a dropout rate of more than 13 percent at secondary school level, Jammu and Kashmir in 2025 was grappling with worst ‘abandonment’ student rate in north India
The official figures in 2025 had further revealed that the dropout rate at secondary level in Ladakh was 19.84 which is highest in states across the northern region of India.
“The dropout rate at Secondary level in Jammu and Kashmir is 13.42 while the Ladakh territory was staggering at 19.84 percent,” the official figures said.
The official figures also said that the dropout rate at Primary Level in Jammu and Kashmir was 1.6 percent and 4.3 percent in Ladakh.
It also reveals that the dropout rate at Upper Primary level in Jammu and Kashmir was 3.2 percent and the Ladakh territory was facing a dropout rate of 5.8 percent.
Students quitting studies midway
In Jammu and Kashmir, over 17 percent of students at primary level and 12 percent learners at senior secondary level quit studies midway—thus raising a question on the functioning of the department.
The official figures earlier this year had revealed that “The retention rate at Primary level in Jammu and Kashmir was 82.70 and 88.42 at senior secondary level.”
Quoting the official documents, KNO however had reported that, “About 46,000 Out of School Children (OoSC) have been mainstreamed.”
The documents further state that a notable shift of thousands of students from private to government schools has been recorded.
“There has been impressive enrolment of 217,890 students in 2022-23, marking a 17.87 percent increase in total enrolment,” it reads.
Reading and learning issues
In a worrisome development, only 21 percent of fifth standard students in rural areas of Jammu and Kashmir government schools can read text level of second class.
On the contrary, more than 60 percent of 5th standard students studying in private schools of Jammu and Kashmir can read text level of second class.
ASER survey while assessing the learning ‘recovery’ since COVID in reading and arithmetic has revealed that “In government schools of Jammu and Kashmir, 18.1 percent of 5th standard students were able to read text of 2nd class level in 2022. However, in the year 2024, only 21.8 percent 5th standard students of government schools were able to read the text of 2nd class.”
The report states that there was an improvement of 3.7 percent in reading from 2022-2024 in government schools.
The study further states that in private schools of Jammu and Kashmir, at least 54.9 percent students of 5th standard were able to read the text of 2nd class in 2022 and in 2024, at least 60.3 percent of students were able to read the text of 2nd class.
Weak Mathematics among students
In Jammu and Kashmir only 16 percent 5th class students in government schools of rural areas can solve division problems of 3-digit by 1-digit.
Similarly, at least 37 percent students of 5th class enrolled in private school in rural areas of Jammu and Kashmir can solve division problems of 3-digit by 1-digit.
The latest Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) in a latest survey while assessing the learning ‘recovery’ since COVID in reading and arithmetic has revealed that “In government schools of Jammu and Kashmir, 14 percent of 5th standard students were able to solve division problems of 3-digit by 1-digit in 2022. In the year 2024, at least 16.3 percent 5th standard students of government schools were able to solve division problems of 3-digit by 1-digit.”
In private schools, at least 32.1 percent students of 5th class were able to solve division problems of 3-digit by 1-digit in 2022 and 37.6 percent in 2024.
The ASER survey states that there was an improvement of 2.3 percent in government schools and 5.5 percent in private schools since 2022-24 with regard to learning ‘recovery’ since COVID in reading and arithmetic.
Underage students
In Jammu and Kashmir more than 13 percent of students enrolled in Grade-I were underage in 2024.
Besides, the enrolment in early childhood education programs or preschool was high with over 90 percent for ages 3 and 4.
The main finding of the latest Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) of 2024 reveals, “Enrolment in early childhood education programs or preschool is high with over 90 percent for ages 3 and 4.”
“Underage” (under-age 5) children enrolled in the first standard is declining. In 2024, in the first standard, 13.4 percent of children are underage,” it reads.
It also said that of Age 6-14, overall enrolment in school for the age group remains very high at 99.4 percent.
Social Medial over Education
In Jammu and Kashmir, more than 79 percent students of 14-16 years of age in a survey have reported that they use Smartphones for social media related activities while only 64 percent students have reported that they use the gadget for education purposes.
ASER of 2024 that was released on Tuesday, of those who can use a Smartphone, 79.4 percent of adolescents of 14-16 years of age says that they used the Smartphone for social media purposes in the seven days prior to the survey.
The report further states that the 64 percent students had used Smartphones for education related activities seven days prior to the survey.
Severe learning gap
In rural areas of Jammu and Kashmir, the education system at middle class level in 2025 was showing a decline trend among the 8th class wherein less than 50 percent of government schools students are not able to read the texts of 2nd standard level.
Besides, more than 70 percent of students in government schools in the rural areas are not able to do the division tasks in mathematics.
The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) of 2024 report released in 2025 states that during the survey it found only 47.2 percent students in Jammu and Kashmir were able to read 2nd standard level text.
The survey further suggests that the reading of the books of junior classes was in decline trend because at least 55.5 percent students were able to read 2nd standard level text in 2018 that reduced to 50.2 percent in 2022 and 47.2 percent in 2024.
Neglected digital infrastructure
More than 98 percent of educational institutes in the year 2025 were lacking digital library services—raising a question of limiting students' access to a wide range of restructured and efficient information.
The total number of schools having less than two percent of digital libraries does not remain confined to government-run-schools only but the majority of the private schools of Jammu and Kashmir also lack the vital services for the students.
Only 373 schools across Jammu and Kashmir were having digital library services available for the students.
The official figures in 2025 had revealed that “Among the total 24,296 government and private schools of Jammu and Kashmir, only 373 institutions that amount to 1.53 percent were having the digital libraries.”
‘Chronic lack of professionalism’
Among all states of India, Jammu and Kashmir education sector has second highest ‘Untrained Teachers’ at Pre-Primary and Upper Primary levels.
Besides, the Union Territory has 4th highest untrained teachers at primary level as well.
The recent official figures reveal that the highest numbers of untrained teachers were reported in Tamil Nadu followed by Jammu and Kashmir wherein only 22.3 percent of teachers at Pre-Primary levels (Kindergartens) were trained to teach the students.
The official figures also reveal that only 16.4 percent male and 25.2 percent teachers at both government and private sectors were trained to teach the students at Pre-Primary levels.
It also states that the Upper-Primary level schools in Jammu and Kashmir were also having second highest untrained teachers.
Libraries lack essential books
In Jammu and Kashmir, more than 50 percent of those government-run-schools having library set-up have no textbooks available for the students and teachers.
The official figures reveal that only 49.78 percent government schools were having books available in the libraries across Jammu and Kashmir.
The official figures also reveal that in 2025 at least 50.22 percent government schools have no books available in the institute libraries.
The figures further reveal that in private schools of Jammu and Kashmir only 73.73 percent institutes were having the library with books facility for the students while 26.27 percent libraries were without books.
Dearth of teachers
Owing to the non-recruitment since 2019, the government in 2025 had said that the School Education Department Monday was facing a dearth of teaching staff.
The government however further said that it was making all efforts to make proper rationalization to streamline the Pupil Teacher Ratio (PTR).
The Education Minister, Sakina Itoo in a response to the concerned respondent in legislative assembly said, “Yes, it is a fact that there is shortage of teachers in the schools mainly due to non-recruitment of Teachers since 2019 in view of SAC decision where under the posts of General Line Teachers stand freezed for conversion of RETs in to Grade-II and Grade-III Teachers.”
Enrolment issues
Despite having a share of more than 77 percent of government-run-schools in Jammu and Kashmir, the School Education Department in 2025 had managed to enrol only 54 percent of students—thus raising a question on quality and functioning of the department.
The Ministry of Education (MoE) for Government of India (GoI) in a recent report has said, “The UT has 77.32 percent government schools out of the total number of schools. However, a matter of concern is that only 54.06 percent of students are enrolled in these government-run schools.”
The MoE said, “It was highlighted that enrolment in private schools is higher in comparison to government schools.”
‘Poor utilization of funds’
The Ministry of Education (MoE) that in the past five years Jammu and Kashmir have utilized only 69.90 percent of the total available funds for the School Education Department.
The official document in 2025 had revealed that under Cumulative Budget and Expenditure “An analysis of the budget and expenditure over the last five years indicates that in the financial year 2024 -25, the UT has been able to utilise only while the percentage of budget utilisation against the approved outlay stands at only 55.38 percent.”
MoE in this regard has requested the concerned authorities of Jammu and Kashmir to prioritise the release of the 3rd and 4th instalment by ensuring the expenditure of the available funds on time.
Vacant lecturer posts
Till the month of June, In Jammu and Kashmir at least ‘4200’ lecturer posts are lying vacant—thus raising a question on the quality of education at secondary level in government-run-schools.
The School Education Department in a review meeting with Education Minister Sakina Itoo had stated that there is a sanctioned strength of 10,330 lecturer posts out of which 6130 are in position.
The official documents further reveal that there is a vacancy of 4200 lecturer posts in the department.
However, the school education department in the meeting further states that 594 lecturer posts have been referred to the Public Service Commission (PSC) for direct recruitment.
Schools without separate toilets for girls
In Jammu and Kashmir at least 1900 government-run-schools lack basic amenities of separate girls toilets while 8.5 percent of schools are without electricity.
Education Minister Sakina Itoo in a one of the review meetings in 2025 about the basic amenities such as functional girls toilets, drinking water and power supply was informed that “Still 1900 schools are without separate girls toilets and 8.5 percent schools are without electricity.”
Education or Family work?
In Jammu and Kashmir at least 17 percent of students engage in family work after completing 10th standard, reveals a report of Ministry of Education (MoE).
Stating the status of ‘students outside the educational system’ the report said that, “Students exit the education system after Grade 10 because of different reasons like taking up a job, doing an apprenticeship, repeating the grade, and participating in family work.”
It also said that the schools reported the exit of students through percentages (0-25 percent, 26-50 percent, 51-75 percent, 76-100 percent.
The MoE has taken a 50 benchmark to identify gaps in the system.
Mocking of classmates
In Jammu and Kashmir at least 38 percent of school students are reportedly being mocked by their classmates—thus raising a question on the functioning of anti-ragging cells in educational institutes.
According to the official document from the Ministry of Education (MoE) “At least 38 percent of students reported that their classmates made fun of them.”
The MoE figures highlight critical areas requiring attention to create a safer and more student-friendly school environment.
School fees more than national average
In Jammu and Kashmir, 87 percent of students are paying course fees in schools. However, on the contrary only 57.1 percent of students pay such charges at the national level.
The official figures in 2025 had revealed that at least 87 percent of students reported expenditure on course fees by level of current enrolment for Jammu and Kashmir including 89.3 percent among the male and 84.3 percent among the female students.
It also said that the national percentage of students reported expenditure on course fees by level of current enrollment for each state and UT was 57.1 percent in 2025.
‘Schools with zero enrolments’
In Jammu and Kashmir, till the second week of October, at least 61 teachers in are posted or deployed in those schools having zero enrolments—thus raising a question on managing the human resources and quality of education.
Besides, the official data reveals that Jammu and Kashmir has at least 146 such schools wherein no student is enrolled.
According to the official figures mentioned in Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE Plus) 2024-25, Jammu and Kashmir has 61 teachers in those schools having zero enrolments and 146 schools with zero enrolments.
Schools run by ‘single teachers’
Over 32,000 school students according to the official figures during the outgoing fiscal were being taught by single teachers in 1371 educational institutes—thus raising a question on quality of education and availability of staff.
According to the official figures available, Jammu and Kashmir has at least 1371 schools wherein single teachers have been posted or deployed.
The figures reveal that there is an enrolment of 32,303 students enrolled in those schools where only single teachers are posted or deployed.
Private schooling costs parents over Rs 37,000
In Jammu and Kashmir, on an average a student of a private senior secondary institute bears a cost of over Rs 37,000 on school expenditure during the current academic year.
Besides, the students of government secondary schools also spent over Rs 14,000 on school expenditure during the current academic year.
The official figures in 2025 had revealed that on an average, a senior secondary student in both rural and urban areas of Jammu and Kashmir reported spending of Rs 37,291 on school expenditure during the current academic year.
It also states that on an average the student government higher secondary spends at least Rs 14,652 on school expenditure during the current academic year.
Developments
Streamlining textbook, curriculum issues
Minister for Education, Social Welfare, Health and Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo in 2025 had ordered the Director of School Education to issue a detailed order regarding curriculum and textbooks.
The minister had said that the directives shall be followed by all schools and asked the CEO to implement it in letter and spirit.
Minister Itoo said this in a meeting that was held on Wednesday wherein she assessed the issues related to fee fixation and regulation of Private Schools across Jammu and Kashmir.
Staff infusion for hanging schools
Jammu and Kashmir Education Minister Sakina Itoo in 2025 had directed the School Education Department (SED) to move a proposal for creation of staff for 184 hanging schools for the concurrence of the Finance Department.
The minister in a meeting with top officers was apprised that there are 184 Hanging Schools upgraded from time to time without creation of staff and are functioning through internal arrangement.
Age relaxation criteria for Class-1
School Education Department in 2025 granted a one-time relaxation up to September-30 for reckoning the minimum age for admission to Class 1st for the students of Jammu division.
However, the department clarified that with effect from the academic session 2026-27 onwards, the minimum age for admission to Nursery, Balvatika, Pre-School, Anganwadi shall be reckoned as on 31st March of the concerned academic year.
“The matter has been carefully examined with reference to the NEP-2020, which prescribes that a child seeking admission into Nursery, Balvatika, Pre School and Anganwadi should have completed the age of three years,” the department had said.
Acting tough against poor performers
The School Education Department in 2025 had sought explanation from the lecturers for having poor results in 12th standard of the previous academic session.
DSEK had said, “The Administrative Department in August 2024 had forwarded a list of lecturers whose result of 12th standard examination for the academic session 2023-24 was found poor and unsatisfactory in violation of standing norms.”
DSEK said that the communication was endorsed to all the Chief Education Officers (CEOs) by DSEK with a request to furnish the details of these lecturers as desired by Administrative Department
15% syllabi relaxation for all classes
The Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (BOSE) earlier this year had announced syllabus relaxation of 15 percent for 10th, 11th and 12th standard examination.
Director Academics of BOSE in a notification said that the decision was taken upon the recommendations received from the DSEK and DSEJ and pleas received from other stakeholders regarding reduction in syllabus due to delayed commencement of academic session this year coupled with disruptions in academic calendar due to heat wave, torrential rains, cloudbursts and floods.
Taking over of schools affiliated with JeI, FAT
In August 2025, the government had ordered taking over of 215 schools that were affiliated proscribed organisation Jamat-e-Islami (Jel) and Falah-e-Aam Trust (FAT).
Secretary to government for School Education Department (SED) had said that the 215 JeI and FAT schools were reported adversely upon by the intelligence agencies.
The secretary in an order had said that the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India in February 2019 and February 2024 issued under sub-section (1) of section (3) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (37 of 1967) declared the Jamaat-e-Islami (Jel), Jammu and Kashmir as an unlawful association
“The Intelligence Agencies (IA) have identified a number of schools which were found to be directly or indirectly affiliated with proscribed organisation Jamat-e-Islami (Jel) and Falah-e-Aam Trust (FAT),” reads the order.
De-freezing of GLT posts
In a major development, the government in 2025 had said that it was mulling to de-freeze the half of General Line Teachers (GLTs) posts that were freezed by the erstwhile State Administrative Council (SAC) in December-2018.
Pertinently, in 2018, the SAC had freezed 6576 GLT posts for drawl of salaries of Rehbar-e-Taleem (ReTs) teachers.
Education Minister Sakina Itoo in a review meeting has directed to de-freeze the posts of General Line Teachers.
Distributing free textbooks, uniform
In Jammu and Kashmir more than 13 lakh students of government-run-schools are being provided perks of free textbooks and uniforms under the Right to Education Act.
An official said that under Right to Education, “At least eight lakh students of classes 1st to 8th are provided with the free uniform. The usual cost for the uniform is Rs 600 per child.”
Besides, the official had said, “At least 5.50 lakh children of classes 3rd to 5th are provided with free textbooks.”
'Basic, Standard' level math for Class-10 proposal
In the last week of November, the Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) had proposed to introduce dual-level mathematics examination for Class-10 wherein students will have the option to choose between ‘Basic or Standard’ levels.
The official had said that the proposal is aimed to reduce the stress among those students who do not wish to continue mathematics at senior secondary level.
“The idea behind introducing the two levels or two Question papers of varied difficulty is that the students who do not study Mathematics after Class 10th need not to be tested for the standard skills,” the official had said—(KNO)