146 government schools in IIOJK function with zero enrollments
Deep-rooted flaws in education system affecting Kashmiri children
Srinagar: In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, official data has exposed a shocking state of the education sector as at least 146 government-run schools are functioning without a single student enrolled, while 61 teachers remain posted in these schools, raising serious questions about resource management and the quality of education.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the figures from the Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE) Plus 2024-25 reveal that the occupation authorities have failed to rationalize staff deployment and improve infrastructure despite repeated claims of educational reforms. The data shows that 61 teachers are posted or deployed in schools with zero enrollments, indicating gross administrative negligence.
In September, the Kashmir News Observer (KNO) reported that 1,371 schools in the territory have only one teacher managing entire classes and subjects. These single-teacher schools collectively cater to 32,303 students, a situation that educationists have termed alarming and detrimental to learning standards.
Earlier, official data had shown 1,330 single-teacher schools with 31,054 students enrolled, but the number has risen by 41 schools in the latest report—reflecting a worsening trend.
Last year, over 4,400 government schools were shut down in the occupied territory due to “zero or extremely low” enrollments. The UDISE database shows that out of 23,117 government schools in IIOJK, at least 4,394 have been deleted from official records, largely in rural and remote areas where students face accessibility challenges and resource scarcity.
Observers say the figures reflect deep-rooted flaws in the education system under Indian administration, where mismanagement, inadequate monitoring, and neglect of rural institutions have severely affected access to quality education for Kashmiri children.
