A functioning school is more than just walls and a roof—it is a promise to our children for a better future. In today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world, it is unfortunate and unacceptable that many schools across Jammu and Kashmir still lack the most basic facilities: electricity, safe drinking water, and internet connectivity.
While the administration has taken several steps to improve the quality of education, ground realities paint a troubling picture. Several primary and even middle schools, especially in remote and hilly areas, continue to operate in harsh conditions—without electricity to power classrooms, without clean water for students to drink, and without access to the internet that connects them to the modern world.
Electricity is no longer a luxury—it is a necessity. Without it, schools cannot run fans or lights, leaving students to suffer in uncomfortable conditions during both sweltering summers and dark winter days. Similarly, the absence of safe drinking water puts children’s health at constant risk. Waterborne diseases like diarrhea and typhoid are entirely preventable, yet they continue to affect children due to poor infrastructure.
Internet connectivity is the third pillar that must not be ignored. The pandemic showed us just how vital digital access is to learning. In a region like Jammu and Kashmir, where weather and political situations can disrupt physical classes, internet access is not optional—it is essential. It opens up a world of resources, connects students to wider learning platforms, and ensures that no child is left behind in an increasingly digital world.
The government must act decisively. A targeted infrastructure mission for school facilities should be launched, especially focusing on government schools in rural and underserved areas. There should be strict deadlines and accountability mechanisms to ensure that electricity, clean drinking water, and internet connections are available in every school.
Our children deserve more than promises—they deserve the tools to dream, learn, and thrive. The future of Jammu and Kashmir depends on what we invest in our schools today. Let’s not delay the basics any longer.
