Peerzada Ummer
Srinagar, Jul 3: A recent response to a Right to Information (RTI) application has laid bare the dire state of government schools in Anantnag, Jammu and Kashmir, with many institutions lacking even the most basic amenities for students, most of whom come from economically marginalized families.
The RTI reply, issued by the Office of the Chief Education Officer (CEO), Anantnag, paints a grim picture of the education infrastructure in the district. According to the document, 61 government schools are operating out of rented rooms or buildings, raising serious concerns about the stability and adequacy of learning spaces.
Even more alarming is the absence of essential utilities in many schools. Five schools have no electricity connections, leaving students to study in poorly lit classrooms and without access to modern teaching tools and cooling facilities amid the ongoing heat wave. Meanwhile, 57 schools lack tap water connections, a critical shortfall that undermines hygiene and sanitation for both students and staff.
The report also highlights a severe deficit in educational resources, with 117 schools lacking library facilities. This absence deprives students of access to books and supplementary learning materials, further widening the gap between government and private school education.
The revelations have sparked outrage among local education activists, who argue that the government’s neglect of these schools disproportionately affects children from low-income families. “These shortages are not just inconveniences—they actively hinder learning and perpetuate inequality. How can we expect students to compete when their schools don’t even have water or electricity?,” says Zahid Gulzar, a local educationist.
