SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir School Education Department is considering a proposal to upgrade High Schools, particularly those located in rural and far-flung areas, to Higher Secondary Schools, while there is currently no immediate proposal to upgrade Primary Schools to Middle Schools or Middle Schools to High Schools.
The government disclosed this in the Legislative Assembly in response to a starred question tabled by Karnah MLA Javaid Ahmad Mirchal regarding the up-gradation of schools across the Union Territory.
According to the reply, the department is contemplating a proposal for the up-gradation of High Schools having Classes 1 to 10 into Higher Secondary Schools offering Classes 1 to 12.
The department said the proposed exercise would primarily focus on schools in rural and far-flung areas and would have a “great impact on ground” in terms of their development as Higher Secondary Schools.
However, the government clarified that no immediate proposal is presently under consideration for upgrading Primary Schools to Middle Schools or Middle Schools to High Schools.
The Karnah constituency has several schools for which demands for up-gradation have been raised. The MLA specifically sought information about High School Chamkote, High School Tangder, Middle School Murchana, Middle School Amroyee, Middle School Tadd, Middle School Dildar, Primary School Magarpath Nawcgabra, Middle School Bhatpora Kralpora, Middle School Aloosa Kralpora and Middle School Zonareshi.
Asked whether these institutions would be upgraded in view of persistent public demand, the government said such demands would be examined in the first phase of the proposed exercise.
The School Education Department said demands from Karnah and other areas for upgrading High Schools having Classes 1 to 10 would be considered for incorporation into the proposal.
It, however, made the proposed up-gradations subject to the availability of budgetary provisions and fulfilment of prescribed norms and criteria.
The government did not provide a specific timeline for the proposed upgrades or confirm that any of the Karnah schools would be upgraded.
The response indicates that the department’s immediate focus is on expanding the number of Higher Secondary Schools by upgrading existing High Schools, particularly in rural and remote areas, rather than undertaking a wider, simultaneous up-gradation of schools at all three levels.
The reply was issued by the School Education Department on behalf of the Minister in charge of School Education.
