Seasonal schools in Kashmir
On this World Literacy Day on Sept 8 we feature a unique education initiative by the Department of Education, Jammu and Kashmir, that aims to educate the children of the nomadic Bakarwal community.
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Seasonal schools have been set up in Kashmir in response to the unique migratory patterns of the region’s tribal people, such as the Gujjar and Bakarwal communities. These seasonal schools operate for six months each year in Kashmir, aligning with the migratory cycle of these nomadic groups. When the harsh winter descends upon the region, the schools temporarily close their doors as the families migrate to warmer pastures.
The Education Department annually recruits around 1,000 seasonal teachers for this initiative, which was launched in 2003 through the collaborative efforts of the government of Jammu and Kashmir and the central government. These seasonal schools in Kashmir have been provided essential resources, including tents and school supplies.
The Bakarwals are a nomadic tribe comprising primarily shepherds who migrate with their livestock to higher altitudes during the summer months. They have retained their traditional way of life and shown minimal integration into mainstream society. This lack of integration has resulted in socio-economic disadvantages, including limited access to education, healthcare, land rights and other basic amenities. The seasonal schools aim to change that and brighten the children’s future.
Also Read: Trekking through Kashmir’s great lakes
Fahim Mattoo and Sadaf Shabir are Srinagar-based journalists.
Edited by: Novita Singh
