The public education sector in Jammu & Kashmir is in dire need of structural changes. Despite various policy interventions, the system continues to struggle with inefficiencies, stagnation, and a lack of motivation among educators. If these challenges are not addressed urgently, the very foundation of government schooling will continue to erode, pushing students toward private institutions and further widening the education gap. Finding of the ASER survey 2023 highlights J&K education sector sumup our achievements till now. “However, young people’s foundational literacy and numeracy skills (FLN) need attention. According to ASER 2024: 73.6% of 14-18-year-olds can read a Class 2 level text 43.3% can do a simple (classes 3/4) division problem”. To rescue and revitalize the public education sector, the following key reforms must be implemented at the grassroots level.
Promotion Through Departmental Exams;A Step Towards Professional Growth: One of the fundamental weaknesses in the system is the lack of an efficient promotion mechanism for teachers. Promotions should be based on structured departmental exams, ensuring that career progression aligns with competency rather than mere seniority. These exams must be designed according to the requirements of the respective posts, encouraging teachers to stay updated with modern teaching methodologies. This reform will create a culture of continuous learning, fostering an intellectually enriched teaching community. Furthermore, it aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes merit-based career progression in education. To operationalize this, a Departmental Examination Board should be created within the Education Department. Until such a board is established, JKSSB and JKPSC can conduct these exams to maintain transparency and efficiency.
Streamlining Transfers;Addressing Stagnation and Inefficiency: The current transfer policy in the education department lacks consistency and fairness. Teachers often remain in one place for decades, leading to professional stagnation and inefficiency. A well-structured transfer system must be put in place to ensure that faculty members are rotated after a set period, allowing fresh perspectives and experiences to circulate within the system. Moreover, Rehbar-e-Taleem (ReT) teachers must also be included in this transfer mechanism, ensuring that their services are effectively utilized without disrupting their employment security. Transfer policies should be implemented strictly and uniformly, preventing favoritism and administrative loopholes.
“Current state of public education in J&K is at a crossroads. If timely and effective measures are not taken, the dropout rate will continue to rise, educational standards will deteriorate, and talented students will be forced to seek alternatives outside the public system.”
Rationalizing Staffing; Balancing Teacher Distribution: One of the most glaring structural flaws in J&K’s education sector is the unequal distribution of teaching staff. Rural schools often suffer from severe staff shortages, while urban institutions have excess faculty with fewer students. This imbalance forces students in villages to either drop out or shift to private schools, ultimately leading to a decline in enrollment in government institutions. The solution lies in creating teaching posts based on student enrollment figures. Primary, middle, high, and higher secondary schools should have a defined teacher-student ratio, ensuring that every school—irrespective of location—has sufficient educators. This will enhance the quality of education and restore public confidence in government schools.
Teacher-Pupil Ratio;Ensuring Quality Learning: A scientifically backed teacher-pupil ratio is essential to maintain effective learning environments. Overburdened teachers in rural schools struggle to provide individual attention to students, while urban schools with excess staff fail to utilize their resources efficiently. A statewide rationalization policy must be implemented, ensuring that every school, from remote villages to bustling towns, maintains an optimal teacher-student ratio as per national standards.
A High-Level Committee; For Policy Implementation & Stakeholder Engagement: For these reforms to materialize, a high-level committee must be constituted. This body should comprise education experts, policymakers, teachers’ representatives, and civil society members to deliberate on key issues and devise an actionable plan. The committee should ensure that reforms are implemented within a stipulated timeframe, with clear monitoring mechanisms.
The Way Forward: The current state of public education in J&K is at a crossroads. If timely and effective measures are not taken, the dropout rate will continue to rise, educational standards will deteriorate, and talented students will be forced to seek alternatives outside the public system. The reforms outlined above—promotion through exams, systematic transfers, staff rationalization, and the establishment of a high-level committee—can act as a watershed moment in reshaping the education sector. The government must take immediate action
(The author is a freelancer. The views, opinions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the author and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”)
