SRINAGAR: As many as 3,997 primary schools in Jammu and Kashmir were clubbed or merged with other schools during 2022-23, while no primary school has been clubbed or merged during the subsequent three years, the Government has informed the Legislative Assembly.
The disclosure was made by the School Education Department in response to an unstarred question by Hiranagar MLA Vijay Kumar.
The Government said that, during the period referred to in the question, Primary School Nalla Thanger in Zone Sallan was closed because of zero enrolment. It added that no child had been deprived of free and compulsory education because of the closure of any school.
On the provision for economically weaker sections, the department said private schools are legally required under the Right to Education Act, 2009 to reserve 25 per cent of entry-level seats for children belonging to poor and economically weaker sections, but acknowledged that the provision has not been fully implemented.
The Government said education in government schools is completely free and compulsory for children aged six to 14 years, with facilities including free textbooks, uniforms and mid-day meals. It added that poor students are also provided other requirements through the Red Cross Fund.
On whether the closed or merged primary schools would be reopened, the department said opening or reopening of schools is considered on the basis of prescribed population norms, enrolment, distance criteria, availability of infrastructure and manpower, and local requirements.
“Any such proposal, wherever warranted,” the department said, would be examined and processed according to the prescribed norms and availability of resources.
