Students grind it out under poor infrastructure in Kashmir

A crumbling building, absent school benches and blackboards coupled with frequent power cuts is being offered to school students, of a remote area in Rajouri district of Kashmir, who are keen to get basic education for a better future.

The state authorities have failed to provide adequate staff, burdening the teachers who have no choice but to teach multiple subjects to large groups of children.

Students are forced to sit on the ground and study, as an under construction classroom in the school premises remains deserted.

With disappointment in their eyes students said that there is no proper infrastructure and playground for them.

"We do not have a proper school building to study and there are also frequent electricity cuts. If it rains we are forced to sit outside because there is no building. We do not have a playground. We also do not have adequate staff to teach us," said Ali, a student.

Teachers at the school said they were helpless and admitted that it was tough to pay attention to individual students with such limited resources.

"I teach students with all dedication but I cannot do justice to children, as I have to teach them multiple subjects. There are only six teachers in the school who teach 10-12 subjects. Everyday atleast one teacher is busy with office work and cannot teach the students, that leaves us with just four to five teachers for a large group of children in different classes," said Rafiq, a teacher.

Inspite of the government's scheme of providing elementary education to children, many children in remote areas continue to suffer.

According to the provisions made in the 86th amendment of the Indian Constitution, compulsory education is free for children between the ages of 6 and 14.