Govt to merge 720 schools with inadequate student enrolment

487 schools to be merged in Jammu, 233 in Kashmir

Srinagar, Apr 12: The Jammu and Kashmir is all set to merge 720 government-run-schools of the UT having an inadequate student enrolment.

Speaking to Rising Kashmir, Principal Secretary, School Education Department, B K Singh said that a meeting was held in this regard and the department has decided to merge these schools at an earliest.

“In Jammu and Kashmir, we have decided to merge 720 government schools with low student enrolment,” he said.

Singh said, “In Jammu division merging will be done in 487 schools and in Kashmir region, 233 schools will be merged.

Govt to merge 720 schools with inadequate student enrolment

Earlier on March-29, Rising Kashmir reported about the merging of over 700 schools across Jammu and Kashmir. Besides, the students of those schools that will be merged and will fall out of the catchment area would be given transportation charges of Rs 500 each month.

In the last week of February, the School Education Department had said that it has identified more than 1200 government schools with low student enrolment and is likely to merge them to streamline the Teacher Pupil Ratio.

Singh in a letter earlier issued to Directors of Jammu and Kashmir regions and Project Director of Samagra Shiksha had said that the decision of merging of schools with low enrolment was taken in Committee of Secretaries (COS) meeting headed by worthy Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir in December-2021.

In official communiqué Singh had said, “In the meeting, it was desired by the higher authorities that I shall directed the Directors of Jammu and Kashmir regions and Project Director of Samagra Shiksha to convey them that the expected criteria for proposing the vacating of school buildings due to likely merger of schools with low enrolment.”

Singh said that he was told to seek information regarding all government primary schools with enrolment of less than 10 students.

He also said that the information regarding all the government Upper-Primary and Middle Schools with enrolment of less than 30 students shall also be submitted. “Besides, the government high schools with enrolment of less than 70 students shall also be submitted.”

Singh said, “It shall be ensured that the norms and the guidelines of Right to Education Act (RTE) may not be violated.”