Srinagar, Oct 17: The seasonal schools in Jammu and Kashmir, which provide educational facilities to children of the migratory population in highland pastures from May to October, will get closed by the end of this month.
The nomadic population, along with their children, have begun migrating to the plains areas due to changing weather conditions in the higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir.
Deep Raj, Project Director of Samagra Shiksha J&K, told Rising Kashmir that there are currently 1,723 functional seasonal schools in the highland pastures of the 16 districts of Jammu and Kashmir. These schools cater to 33,819 children from nomadic families during the migration period from the plains to the highland pastures of the J&K UT.
“The Directorate of Samagra Shiksha, Jammu and Kashmir facilitates the education of these children from nomadic or migratory populations by establishing seasonal centers in the districts where these communities reside during the migratory period, along with their families and livestock,” Project Director said.
He further explained that the seasonal centers are open for a maximum of six months in the highest mountain pastures. Under Samagra Shiksha, seasonal educational volunteers (EVs) are engaged for a maximum period of six months from May to October each year.
“After returning from the Dhoks (Migration Center), the children of the migratory nomadic population return to their homes, where they are enrolled in schools in their catchment area and avail themselves of all benefits available under the scheme,” Deep Raj added.
He also mentioned that due to changing weather conditions in the upper reaches of Jammu and Kashmir, the migratory population has begun moving to the plains areas along with their children. The seasonal schools in Jammu and Kashmir will also close at the end of October.
