SEERAT-Un-NISA
BANDIPORA, Dec 16: At a time when several centrally sponsored schemes claim to ensure free and inclusive education for minority and tribal students, the grim reality in many tribal pockets of North Kashmir tells a different story. School dropout rates—especially at the middle and secondary levels—continue to rise, driven by poverty, poor infrastructure, lack of awareness and social barriers. However, in the remote tribal areas of Bandipora district, a quiet yet impactful transformation is underway—led not by government schemes, but by the unwavering commitment of a 26-year-old social worker, Kifayatullah Malik.
Born and raised in Lawaypora village of Bandipora, Malik grew up alongside tribal children, sharing classrooms, playgrounds and everyday life. But as years passed, he witnessed a painful pattern unfold. After completing primary education, many of his childhood friends—particularly girls—were forced to abandon their studies midway. Crushed by poverty, financial instability and poor road connectivity, they slipped into household chores, agricultural labour and daily wage work.
Speaking to Kashmir Despatch, Malik recalled how deeply those moments affected him.
“Watching my friends leave school and take up labour work always disturbed me. It felt like their dreams were being buried under circumstances beyond their control. That was the moment I decided to do something—though I didn’t know it was called social work then. I only had the courage to help.”
That courage soon turned into a mission.
After completing his Bachelor’s degree from Amar Singh College, Srinagar, in 2021, Malik followed his family’s advice and pursued higher studies. He went on to complete a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Kashmir—an academic journey that gave shape and direction to his long-held resolve to serve society.
His inclination towards social service had already taken root during his college days. As an active member of the National Service Scheme (NSS) at Amar Singh College, Malik participated in several outreach programmes.
“We used to visit hospitals like SKIMS and LD Hospital, identify destitute and hopeless patients, and raise funds for their treatment. We also supported poor students by collecting money for their school and college fees,” he said.
Returning to his roots, Malik decided to begin where the need was most urgent—his own tribal community. He started personally reaching out to students who had dropped out of school, counselling them and their parents, and motivating them to resume education. His approach was simple yet powerful: one-on-one interaction, emotional reassurance and practical support.
Over the years, Malik has helped hundreds of students re-enrol in nearby schools. Along with a group of dedicated volunteers, he began collecting used books, stationery and uniforms and distributing them among children who could not afford basic educational material. For many families struggling to meet daily needs, this assistance proved to be a turning point.
“Charity begins at home,” Malik believes. “If we don’t uplift our own people first, we fail as a society.”
His sustained efforts have already borne fruit. Several tribal students, once resigned to a life without education, are now back in classrooms—dreaming not only of government jobs but of serving and educating their own communities that have long remained on the margins.
Recognising the need for structured intervention, Malik formally registered his NGO, ‘Hills and Hearts Foundation’, to expand his reach.
“The idea behind forming this NGO was to act as a bridge between people who want to help and the students who desperately need support in tribal belts. Transparency and direct connection were our core principles,” he explained.
Through the foundation, Malik and his team raise funds to support students’ education, provide food kits and clothing to needy families, and organise awareness programmes on government welfare schemes and legal rights—especially for women.
“We were shocked to realise that many people had never even heard of schemes like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao or Ladli Beti. We conducted awareness camps on scholarships for tribal students, women’s legal rights and even environmental issues,” he said.
Malik identifies multiple factors behind the alarming dropout rate in tribal schools. One of the most critical, he says, is the language barrier during primary education.
“In the absence of teachers who can communicate in the students’ mother tongue, many children fail to grasp basic concepts. This leads to loss of confidence, frustration and eventually dropping out,” he observed.
To address this gap, Malik and his team are now planning to establish winter community tuition centres in areas like In-person and Chandaji. These centres will provide free coaching to tribal students in their own language, helping them complete their syllabus during winter months when regular schooling is disrupted.
“Most parents cannot afford private coaching or transport. We want to bring education to their doorstep,” he added.
The urgency of Malik’s work is underscored by official data from the Jammu and Kashmir government, which shows that tribal and other marginalised communities record the highest school dropout rate at the secondary level—14.17% overall, with girls at a staggering 19.05% and boys at 10.55%.
Malik’s tireless efforts have not gone unnoticed. He has been conferred with the President’s NSS Award by President Droupadi Murmu for his outstanding contribution to community welfare. He has also received the Best Forest Friend Award from the Social Forestry Department, the Ambassador of Humanity Award (2024), and the Global Human Rights Award of Appreciation.
Guided by his belief that “education is not just about personal success, but about leaving your community better than you found it,” Kifayatullah Malik continues to light the path for tribal children—one classroom, one book and one dream at a time.
