The education sector in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK is facing a major crisis, as government institutions struggle with
outdated curricula and inefficiencies, leaving many parents seeking
better opportunities in private schools.
However, this shift has brought its own set of challenges, as private
institutions are increasingly under scrutiny for exploitative practices.
“Government schools in PoJK are grappling with a lack of
modernisation.
The outdated syllabus, coupled with inefficient management and a culture of favouritism, has resulted in a decline in the quality of education”, said a local resident. He further stated, “In private schools, textbooks from Oxford and other publications are taught, while government schools follow a more limited, outdated syllabus.”
However, many parents have reported inflated fees and mandatory
purchases of overpriced textbooks and stationery directly from the
schools. “Private educational institutions have become a mafia,” the
same local residents shared.
He said, “Most private schools sell copies and
other items at inflated prices. A copy worth 100 rupees is sold for 200
rupees, forcing parents to buy them. Everything, including stationery,
is sold within the schools. They act like a mafia, robbing parents with
both hands.”
As the education system in PoJK continues to struggle,
parents are caught between the decline of government
schools and the exploitative practices of private
institutions, leaving many questioning the future of their children’s
education.
In PoJK Schools and educational institutions suffer from
inadequate infrastructure, outdated curricula, and a lack of trained
teachers. Basic amenities like access to clean drinking water,
functional toilets, and electricity are frequently missing.
The region struggles with limited access to quality healthcare, job
opportunities, and basic amenities, worsening the living conditions.
Local government’s often fail to prioritise
development, with funds misallocated or poorly managed.
The neglect of these fundamental sectors exacerbates poverty,
limiting opportunities for growth and leaving the population in a
state of underdevelopment and despair.
