J&K’s secondary school student retention crisis
Foundational Stage stands at a strong 90%
Preparatory Stage remains robust at 80%
Secondary Stage retention rate falling to just 38%
Riyaz Bhat
Srinagar, Jul 06 :
Jammu and Kashmir is confronting a deepening educational paradox, while the primary schools are on the cusp of achieving a perfect retention rate, the secondary level on the contrary is facing an ‘exodus’ of students, with more than half dropping out before completing the senior stage.
According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the data presented by the Ministry of Education (MoE) in a recent report said that J&K boasts an impressive 90 percent retention at the foundational stage and 80 percent at the preparatory stage.
However the official data indicates a concerning picture of retention rate at the secondary stage with only 38 percent.
“The retention rate in Jammu and Kashmir is 90 percent at the foundational stage, 80 percent at the preparatory stage, 76 percent at the middle stage and only 38 percent at the secondary stage,” the Ministry said.
It also said that the sharp decline in retention at the secondary level was highlighted as a matter of concern.
MoE observed that enrolment in government schools has declined over the last three years.
The Ministry advised the Jammu and Kashmir authorities to undertake a detailed analysis of the factors contributing to student dropout and develop a comprehensive strategy to improve retention, particularly during the transition to secondary education.
About the Pupil Teacher Ratio (PTR), MoE said that the percentage of government primary schools with adverse PTR has increased from 16 percent in 2023-24 to 17 percent in 2024-25. “Similarly, at the upper primary level, the percentage of schools with adverse PTR has increased from 6.7 percent to 7.5 percent during the same period.”
“The increase in the number of schools not meeting the prescribed PTR norms was highlighted as a matter of concern,” MoE said.
The Ministry has advised J&K to undertake a detailed review of teacher deployment across schools and take appropriate measures to ensure compliance with PTR norms—(KNO)