JAMMU: The Jammu and Kashmir government has disclosed that thousands of government schools across the Union Territory lack basic infrastructure, including drinking water, functional toilets, libraries, laboratories, and internet connectivity. The information was provided in response to a question raised in the assembly by legislator Ranbir Singh Pathania.
According to official figures, out of 18,724 government schools in Jammu and Kashmir, 8,807 schools do not have access to clean drinking water, while 12,615 schools lack functional toilets. Additionally, 8,457 schools are without libraries, 6,916 do not have laboratories, and 8,036 are missing playgrounds. A total of 8,807 schools also lack boundary walls, raising concerns about security. The absence of smart classrooms and internet connectivity remains a significant issue, particularly in higher secondary and middle schools, with 11,093 schools still not equipped with these facilities. Furthermore, 6,645 schools do not have appointed safaiwalas, and 92 schools lack even a single cook under the Mid-Day Meal Scheme
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Regarding the appointment and welfare of cooks working under the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, the government clarified that Cook-cum-Helpers are engaged on an honorarium basis as per the guidelines of the centrally sponsored scheme under the Ministry of Education. The scheme follows a 90:10 cost-sharing pattern between the Centre and the Union Territory administration. However, since these engagements are temporary in nature, there is no policy for their regularization
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Addressing concerns about private school fee regulations, the government stated that a Fee Fixation and Regulation Committee (FFRC) was constituted in 2013 under the chairmanship of a retired judge of the J&K High Court. This committee has the statutory authority to fix, regulate, and approve the fee structure of private schools to prevent arbitrary hikes and ensure transparency.
The government assured that efforts are being made to improve school infrastructure and ensure that both government and private educational institutions operate with greater transparency and accountability. However, the large number of schools still lacking essential facilities remains a major concern for policymakers and education stakeholders in the region.
