Jammu, 18 March – The Jammu and Kashmir government announced on Monday that the upgradation of high schools to higher secondary level will be subject to strict criteria. This clarification came in response to a query from MLA Pattan, Javid Reyaz, regarding the conditions for upgrading educational institutions.
According to the government, a high school can only be upgraded if it meets two essential requirements: it must maintain a minimum distance of 7 kilometers from an existing higher secondary school and have at least 35 students enrolled in the highest class.
The government has ruled out the upgradation of two schools in the Pattan area: Girls High School Pattan and High School Singhpora Pattan. Both schools failed to meet the necessary criteria for elevation to the higher secondary level.
Girls High School Pattan currently has 58 students in Class 10 but is located only 0.5 kilometers from Higher Secondary School (HSS) Pattan, making it ineligible for upgradation due to the proximity rule. Similarly, High School Singhpora Pattan, which has 53 students in Class 10, is situated just 3.5 kilometers from HSS Gund Khawaja Qasim, thus failing to meet the required distance criteria.
The government’s decision aims to ensure that the upgradation process is fair and based on specific standards, ultimately enhancing the quality of education in the region. Local officials and parents have expressed their concerns about the limitations imposed by these criteria, as they believe that the demand for higher secondary education is significant in these areas.
As the education department continues to evaluate schools for potential upgrades, stakeholders are encouraged to engage in discussions about the needs of their communities and the importance of accessible education.
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