Srinagar, Oct 22: In a development that has raised serious concern, Kashmiri language textbooks were reportedly unavailable in government schools across the Valley up to the elementary level during the outgoing academic session, even as exams for the subject were conducted.
Rights activist Rasikh Rasool Bhat said the absence of textbooks reflected poorly on the School Education Department and the Board of School Education. “Kashmiri language textbooks were not available up to Class 8, which is highly unfortunate and deeply troubling. Teachers across Kashmir somehow managed to teach the subject through makeshift arrangements. We hope this gap is addressed in the next academic session,” he said.
Teachers said they had to rely on outdated materials, photocopies, and personal notes to cover the syllabus. “We were forced to prepare lessons on our own without any official support,” said a teacher from a government middle school.
The issue has drawn criticism from educators, parents, and civil society members who argue that testing students without providing textbooks undermines the teaching of regional languages, which is mandatory under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Parents have demanded a departmental probe and called for immediate measures to ensure timely distribution of textbooks in the upcoming academic year. [KNT]
