SRINAGAR: In a financial push to strengthen the education sector in the Union Territories of Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh, the Central Government has released Rs 1,881 crore under key educational schemes.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan shared the information in the Lok Sabha during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament. The funds have been disbursed over the past two financial years under the government’s flagship schemes—Samagra Shiksha and PM-SHRI (Prime Minister Schools for Rising India)—aimed at improving school infrastructure and promoting quality education.
Of the total amount, Jammu and Kashmir has received Rs 1,689 crore, while Ladakh has been allocated Rs 192 crore. The disbursal includes allocations for 2023–24 and 2024–25. Under Samagra Shiksha, Jammu & Kashmir was granted Rs 865.44 crore in 2023–24 and Rs 823.49 crore in 2024–25. The Union Territory also received Rs 52.39 crore and Rs 99.72 crore under the PM-SHRI scheme during the same period. Similarly, Ladakh was sanctioned Rs 52.23 crore and Rs 140 crore under Samagra Shiksha, in addition to Rs 4.04 crore and Rs 11.91 crore through PM-SHRI.
These schemes are part of the government’s strategy to improve education standards in far-flung and underserved regions. While Samagra Shiksha covers a broad range of interventions including infrastructure development, teacher training, inclusive education, and digital learning, the PM-SHRI scheme focuses on transforming selected schools into model institutions in line with the National Education Policy 2020.
Alongside the funding details, the Union Education Minister also flagged a decline in student enrolment in government schools across both Union Territories. In Jammu & Kashmir, enrolment fell from 14.54 lakh in 2022–23 to 14.21 lakh in 2023–24, while Ladakh saw a drop from 28,667 to 26,275 during the same period. The decline was partly attributed to changes in data collection methodology under the UDISE+ system. However, structural factors such as a shift to private schools and demographic changes are also believed to be contributing.
To address the decline and improve enrolment and retention, the Ministry of Education has reiterated its commitment to supplementary schemes including the Mid-Day Meal Programme (now PM POSHAN), free distribution of textbooks and uniforms, provision of transport and residential facilities, and support for children with special needs. These measures are currently being implemented in both Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. (KNT)
