Srinagar, Feb 10: The majority of the schools in Jammu and Kashmir are without library and playground facilities, creating a major challenge for the School Education Department (SED) to engage the students in reading and other sports activities.
As per the latest UDISE data, of the 18,723 schools across Jammu and Kashmir, around 9925 schools are without library facilities, 10,104 schools are without ramps, and 10,384 schools are without playgrounds.
Greater Kashmir earlier reported that very few students in government schools were acquainted with the book-reading culture in schools across J&K as reflected in various national-level surveys.
The schools from primary to upper primary level are without library facilities despite getting annual allocation from the Ministry of Education (MoE) under Samagra Shiksha.
An official said that the MoE sanctions Rs 5000 per year for primary schools every year while Rs 10,000 is provided to upper primary schools and Rs 15,000 is provided to secondary schools for procurement of library books for the students.
Also, Rs 20,000 are released in favour of higher secondary schools to purchase library books for the students.
“But the basic problem is that the library books purchased in primary and upper primary schools remain locked in boxes as these schools do not have proper library rooms. So very rarely, some students take out these books for reading,” the official said.
However, he said that the students in high and higher secondary schools have proper library facilities and are acquainted with the book-reading culture.
The official said the government schools are without playground facilities due to non-availability of land in the schools
“Most of the schools are established in hilly terrains and there is no scope for the playfield for the students,” he said.
The non-availability of ramps in schools has raised questions about facilitating the education of children with special needs in government schools
However, a top official told Greater Kashmir that the department was putting in all efforts to fill all the gaps but some issues were yet to be addressed.
“The number of schools without ramps and playgrounds has reduced as the government has merged most of these schools with nearby schools and the schools merged with nearby institutions stand officially closed now,” he said. “Special focus is being given on vocational education and facilitating education to children with special needs.”