SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir is among the few regions in the country with consistently comfortable teacher–student ratios across primary, upper-primary and secondary levels, the Union Education Ministry has informed the Lok Sabha. The data, drawn from UDISE+ 2024-25, was presented to the House in response to questions on school closures, online learning practices, and teacher strength across states.
According to the Ministry’s reply, Jammu and Kashmir has a pupil–teacher ratio of eleven at the primary level, eight at the upper-primary stage and twelve in secondary schools. These figures place the Union Territory well ahead of several major states struggling with classroom congestion. The Ministry said that these ratios reflect the region’s steady recruitment cycles and the wide distribution of schools across its districts.
The Centre reiterated that decisions on opening or closing schools fall under the administrative jurisdiction of states and Union Territories. It explained that Samagra Shiksha, the integrated Centrally Sponsored Scheme aligned with the National Education Policy 2020, provides states and UTs with funding support to strengthen infrastructure, improve learning environments and reduce disparities. The scheme, it said, is designed to ensure that all children, regardless of background or academic ability, have access to equitable and inclusive classrooms.
On digital learning, the Ministry referred to the PRAGYATA guidelines issued in 2020, which prescribe safe and structured online learning and emphasise minimising excessive screen exposure. It noted that funds under Samagra Shiksha enable states and UTs to develop ICT labs, smart classrooms and digital content according to local needs. In addition, the PM eVidya initiative supports multi-mode access to instruction through DTH television and radio channels in various Indian languages.
Responding to a question on Delhi and the National Capital Region, the Ministry said that government schools there generally function in offline mode, though hybrid teaching is adopted whenever the Commission for Air Quality Management issues temporary restrictions due to pollution.
The detailed teacher-strength data annexed to the reply shows wide variations across the country. While Jammu and Kashmir maintains low classroom loads, Ladakh reports the most favourable ratios nationally, with a PTR of three at the primary stage and two at the upper-primary level. Nagaland, Sikkim and Himachal Pradesh also remain comfortably placed. In contrast, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and parts of Uttar Pradesh continue to record some of the highest ratios, with classroom sizes significantly above the national average of twenty at both primary and upper-primary levels.
At the secondary level, shortages are more pronounced in several states, with Jharkhand reporting a PTR of thirty-seven and Bihar twenty-nine. Jammu and Kashmir’s ratio of twelve places it among regions where secondary classrooms remain manageable.
The Ministry said that fluctuations in these ratios arise from migration patterns, demographic changes, the spread of private schooling and the pace at which states fill vacancies. Although national programmes aim to improve overall school quality, the reply makes clear that the experience of schooling remains uneven, with Jammu and Kashmir positioned among the better-staffed regions in the country.
