Over 33,000 students trapped in single teachers schools
Riyaz Bhat
Srinagar, Jul 07 :
In a stark illustration of the plaguing education sector of Jammu and Kashmir, 1,544 schools are being run by single teachers each wherein more than 33,537 students are enrolled.
The Union Territory is also functioning with 188 such schools that are having zero student enrolments. Interestingly, 87 teachers are still deployed to these empty institutions, drawing salaries while teaching no one.
According to the recent report released by the Department of School Education and Literacy for the Ministry of Education (MoE), there are 1544 schools in Jammu and Kashmir that are functioning with single teachers.
The news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) has learnt that there are 33,537 students enrolled in those 1544 schools that are functioning with single teachers.
Furthermore, MoE has said that 87 teachers are posted in such schools that are having zero enrolments and 188 schools are without any student enrolled.
As already reported by KNO, MoE in a meeting of Project Approval Board (PAB) for considering the Annual Work Plan & Budget (AWP&B) 2026-27 has said that in Jammu and Kashmir at least 146 schools have reported functioning without any student enrolled and over 1355 other schools are functioning with single teachers.
“141 primary schools and five upper primary schools were reported with zero enrolment,” MoE said.
It also said that 1,762 primary schools and 135 upper primary schools had enrolment of less than 15 students, while 5175 primary schools and 748 upper primary schools had enrolment of less than 30 students.
The Ministry has said that a large number of schools with low or zero enrolment was highlighted as a matter of concern.
The MoE advised the Jammu and Kashmir authorities to undertake a detailed analysis of these schools and adopt strategies to improve enrolment.
MoE has urged the Jammu and Kashmir authorities to undertake a detailed review and appropriate corrective measures, and ensure compliance with RTF norms at all levels.
Earlier in March, the Jammu and Kashmir government had said that over the past four years, nearly 3200 schools in the UT were either functioning with less than ten or zero student enrolment—leaving over 2500 teachers deployed in empty schools.
The figures were revealed in the Legislative Assembly that said 3192 schools in Jammu and Kashmir reported less than ten or zero enrolment since 2022 including 1494 schools in Jammu and 1698 in Kashmir region respectively—(KNO)