Riyaz Bhat
Srinagar, Mar 2: With the Ministry of Education (MoE) mulling to introduce Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the school curriculum, Jammu and Kashmir on the contrary is lacking the basic facilities of computers in over 60 percent of schools—raising a question on future of students of the region.
According to the official documents, “In J&K only 39 percent of school going students have access to computers.”
The figures further reveal that the access to internet connectivity was available to only 49 percent of school students across Jammu and Kashmir. The document however stated that digital infrastructure remains a focus area for the government.
Stating the access and infrastructure indicators, the official figures show steady improvement with over 98 percent students having access to schooling at all levels.
The official figures further reveal that Jammu and Kashmir has 90.84 percent of toilet facilities for the girls’, 88.49 percent for boys.
It also said 75.10 percent of students have access to libraries and electricity was available in 91.44 percent of schools.
Pertinently, the MoE has said that the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is developing the framework for AI integration for all students from Class 3 onwards from the academic year 2026-27.
Earlier in the second week of February, it was reported that with nearly 28 percent of students in Jammu and Kashmir failing to transition from secondary to higher secondary level, the retention rate post 8th standard poses a real challenge for the School Education Department in ensuring the consistency of the learners.
The official figures in this regard has revealed that the transition rates have improved significantly with 94.8 percent transition from primary to upper primary and 90.7 percent from elementary to secondary levels.
The documents further reveal that the J&K was facing a transition rate of 72.9 percent from secondary to higher secondary and Gross Access Ratio remains above 98 percent across stages.
