J&K’s Public Schools in Crisis as Private Coaching Centers Surge

Enrollment in government schools drops to 52% as parents flock to private coaching; officials promise reforms, but challenges persist.

SRINAGAR: Government schools in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) are rapidly losing ground to private coaching centers, with the latest National Achievement Survey revealing that enrollment in public schools has fallen from over 85% in the 1980s to just 52% by 2021.

This sharp decline reflects growing public distrust in government education, driven by underfunded infrastructure, inconsistent teaching quality, and the mushrooming growth of private coaching centers—now a ₹500 crore industry in the region.

“Parents see coaching centers as a lifeline,” says Prof. Tariq Ahmad, an education sociologist at the University of Kashmir. “But many rely on untrained tutors and rote learning—it’s a false promise.”

Government Pushes Reforms Amid Slow Progress

In response, the J&K government has rolled out initiatives aimed at revitalizing public education:

• Smart classrooms in over 1,200 schools
• Training for 15,000 teachers in collaboration with NCERT
• Schemes such as free textbooks, mid-day meals, and scholarships for girls

However, implementation remains slow. At Srinagar’s Government Boys Higher Secondary School, upgrades have stalled. “Funds are delayed, and progress is patchy,” said a senior Education Department official who requested anonymity.

Teachers and Parents Caught in the Middle

While many families opt for private coaching, some educators are choosing to back public schools with personal conviction. Arshid Khan, a government teacher in Doda, enrolled his daughter in a government school. “If we don’t trust our own system, who will?” he asks.

A 2023 survey by the J&K Teachers’ Forum found that 68% of government teachers still send their children to public schools—seen by many as a quiet stand in favor of restoring trust.

Parents, however, remain divided. Mohammad Yusuf, a carpenter from Anantnag, took a loan to cover his son’s ₹20,000-a-month coaching fees. “Even graduates drive taxis now. I can’t risk my child’s future,” he says.

But experts caution against overreliance on private institutes. “Coaching centers don’t guarantee success,” says Dr. Neelofar Khan, an economist at Central University Kashmir. “In fact, 60% of J&K’s civil service qualifiers in 2023 were government school alumni.”

Community Interventions Offer Hope

Some grassroots efforts are filling the gap. The Hope Foundation, for example, runs free evening tutoring in 30 Budgam schools, staffed by retired government teachers. This initiative has led to a 22% rise in enrollment.

Online campaigns like #MeraSchoolMeraGarv are also making an impact. In Baramulla, students from a government school recently developed a water conservation app—highlighting the untapped potential within the public system.

What Lies Ahead

Experts suggest urgent reforms to regain public confidence:

1. Transparent fund allocation and timely infrastructure upgrades

2. Community engagement, empowering teachers and local leaders

3. Curriculum reform that includes vocational training and mental health support

Education Minister Sakina Itoo acknowledges the uphill battle: “This isn’t just about buildings—it’s about rebuilding faith, one classroom at a time.”

For now, parents like Razia Bano remain watchful. “If teachers fight for these schools,” says Razia Bano, “maybe I’ll bring my children back.” Until then, the battle for trust—and the future of public education in J&K—remains unfinished.