Education System in Chenab Valley

Education system of erstwhile Doda, Ramban, Kishtwar districts with special reference to rural areas

“Education is the process of training man to fulfill his aim by exercising all the faculties to the fullest extent as a member of society.”

– Aristotle

Education is the process of facilitating learning or the acquisition of knowledge, skills, values, beliefs and habits. A Right to education has been recognised by some governments and the United Nations. In most regions, education is compulsory up to a certain age. Right to Education, the constitution (Eighty-Sixth Amendment) Act, 2002 inserted Article 21-A in the constitution of India to provide free and compulsory education of all children in the age group of six to fourteen years as a fundamental Right.

The Jammu and Kashmir UT is having it’s boundaries with other countries and states of India in which majority of population is living in rural and mountainous regions. People living in rural areas do realise the importance of education but poverty does not allow them to send their children to private schools and hence they are left with no choice but to remain dependent upon government schools. No one can believe that hundreds of schools across Chenab Valley and particularly in remote areas of Kishtwar and Doda district are running under violation of requirement norms and modernisation of education sector in this present era of science and technology where Prime Minister claims Digital India. There is no doubt that centre and state government has launched various schemes for poor students to avail benefits, like Mid-day meal , Uniform, Books, Scholarship and receive education free of cost in government institutions. There is Special education scheme for differently abled children’s but there is lack of Special Schools and Special trained teachers. They are not professionally trained.

Quality higher Education in Chenab Valley: A basic right or luxury

Chenab Valley consist of 3 districts viz Doda, Ramban, and Kishtwar with about 14 lacs people living in the region. Majority of the population is rural and economically paralysed. For these 14 lac people concept of “University “ might look like a Disneyland as there is no University for these 14 lac peoples. Poor rural population is forced to move to Jammu, Srinagar or to rest of the India for higher education. (What modern greats and intellectuals called a basic right) moving there means much higher expenses. A bulk section of this poor rural population can’t afford the cost of this luxurious higher education so their dreams end too early.

Standard or Deviation 

In many schools such as High School Bata, H. S Chingam, H. S Gurinalla, H. S Singpora, H. S Kawth H. S Drubeel, H. S Damber and many more, these schools are without staff and run by 3 or 4 teachers only. These are hanging high schools. In Marwah Dachan and Warwan of District Kishtwar, there is lack of teaching staff, lack of accommodation /classrooms, playground and other amenities. Schools remains closed for most part of the year, if opened, only 1 or 2 teachers visit there and perform their duties. Taking a look on modern educational system in Chenab Valley, “No one can trust that what is happening in government institutions and what teachers are doing during their duties! Are students interested in learning lessons in class or not! Why results of board exams are so poor in Chenab Valley!

Being a resident of Kishtwar District, I personally visited many schools and found that in some middle schools in Kishtwar, teachers are much more in number than standard Teacher : Student ratio. I also found in rural areas of Kishtwar District where students are adequate in number but there is lack of teaching staff as in M. S Thal, M. S Zidhar and so on. Some schools in Chenab Valley are not having modern equipment of quality education. There is huge lack of teachers, especially well-trained teachers. This leads to very poor quality of education being imparted. Schools falling in the rural areas of Chenab Valley have poor infrastructure. There is lack of playground facility and, low grade material is used in the school buildings. In some schools there is lack of toilet facility for girls. There are some schools which have toilets but devoid of water facility and hygiene. Various High Schools have been upgraded to Higher Secondary’s,11th and 12th classes are running in these Schools without any specialised lecturer. In one such School, Higher secondary Kuchal which I personally visited, there I found not even a single specialised lecturer was posted, but 11th and 12th classes are being run.

In conclusion, Chenab Valley requires to enhance the quality education in government schools, higher education facility especially University, Special and conscious teachers ,infrastructure, Special schools for differently abled children’s, computers, teaching resources and other learning materials.

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Asiya Wani

M. Ed student of Cluster University Jammu

Email : asiyawani3041987@gmail.com