The higher education sector in Kashmir is at a critical juncture. While new academic programs and reforms have been introduced over the years, the crumbling infrastructure in many government-run colleges — especially those under the Cluster University Srinagar — remains a glaring issue that demands immediate redressal.
From dilapidated buildings to outdated laboratories, lack of libraries, poor sanitation, and inadequate heating and power backup facilities, students across these colleges are often forced to study in conditions far below national standards. This is not just about comfort — it is about dignity, safety, and the fundamental right to quality education.
Colleges like Amar Singh College, S.P. College, Government College for Women M.A. Road, and others affiliated with Cluster University Srinagar are hubs of potential and talent. But without proper infrastructure — functioning lecture halls, modern labs, digital classrooms, reliable internet, and hygienic campuses — this potential remains stifled. Despite repeated appeals by students and faculty, the pace of infrastructural upgrades remains slow, sporadic, and poorly monitored.
A particularly alarming case is the Journalism and Mass Communication departments in these colleges. With the recent launch of postgraduate programs, the departments have been overburdened beyond their capacity — without corresponding upgrades in infrastructure, equipment, or even staff. Most of these departments still lack basic facilities such as audio-visual studios, editing suites, professional-grade cameras, and a sufficient number of qualified faculty members. How can aspiring journalists be trained effectively without access to even the minimum tools of their craft?
The government of Jammu and Kashmir must urgently prioritize the revamp of infrastructure in these institutions. A dedicated allocation of funds, strict timelines for renovation, and third-party audits to ensure quality implementation are critical. In a region where students often have to battle weather-related disruptions and lack of resources, the least the administration can ensure is a conducive learning environment.
The goal of turning Srinagar into an academic hub cannot be realized through policy announcements alone. Infrastructure is the backbone of any meaningful educational reform. It is time the authorities move beyond lip service and focus on delivering real, lasting improvements — so that the youth of Kashmir receive not just education, but education with dignity.
