Kashmiri language textbooks were reportedly unavailable in government schools across the Kashmir Valley up to the elementary level during the recently concluded academic session, despite scheduled examinations for the subject.
The absence of prescribed reading material has led to criticism from parents, educators, and civil society, according to details received by The Chenab Times.
Rights activist Rasikh Rasool Bhat stated that the lack of Kashmiri language textbooks up to Class 8 reflects poorly on the School Education Department and the Board of School Education. “Kashmiri language textbooks were not available up to Class 8, which is highly unfortunate and deeply troubling,” said Mr. Bhat, as reported by news agency Kashmir News Trust.
Mr. Bhat added that teachers in Kashmir were compelled to manage teaching the subject through makeshift arrangements. He expressed hope that this gap would be addressed in the next academic session.
Teachers confirmed the operational issue, reporting that they had to rely on photocopies, outdated materials, and personal notes to cover the syllabus. “We were forced to prepare lessons on our own without any official support,” said a teacher from a government middle school.
Educators and parents argue that testing students without providing the official textbooks undermines the teaching of regional languages, which is mandatory under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Parents have called for an immediate departmental probe and demanded swift measures to ensure the timely distribution of all textbooks in the upcoming academic year.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
