Srinagar, Nov 07: Residents of several villages in the Magam block of Handwara tehsil, located in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, have hailed the Handwara administration and the School Education Department’s efforts to address the longstanding issue of inadequate school infrastructure in the area.
Sheikh Jamsheed, a local social activist from Handwara, speaking with Rising Kashmir said the Government Boys’ High School in Magam caters to students from many surrounding villages. “The school currently accommodates over 300 students, ranging from first to tenth grade. However, the facility had long struggled with insufficient space to properly accommodate the growing number of students, leading to overcrowded classrooms,” he said.
“The lack of space had become a major concern for both students and teachers. We approached the Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) of Handwara to address this issue, and the ADC visited the school several times. We are now hopeful that the matter will be resolved soon,” Sheikh said.
Due to the intervention of the ADC and the ongoing efforts of the School Education Department, funds have been allocated for the construction of a new school building.
Initially, Samagra Shiksha had approved the budget for a single-storey building. However, after further discussions and lobbying by local stakeholders, the ADC managed to secure approval for an additional storey. Once the first phase of construction—comprising the single-storey building—is completed, work on the second storey will begin, further enhancing the school’s capacity.
“Once the new building is ready, all the classes will be relocated to the new structure, which will provide our students with much-needed space and better facilities,” Jamsheed said.
The residents and local leaders have expressed gratitude to the School Education Department and the Handwara administration, saying the new building will not only improve the learning environment but will also help in accommodating the increasing number of students in the area.
