15 Districts Achieve Over 95 Per Cent Literacy Rate Across Jammu Kashmir

SRINAGAR: Fifteen districts across Jammu and Kashmir have achieved over 95 per cent literacy rate under the ULLAS–Nav Bharat Saksharta Karyakram (NBSK), marking a major milestone in the Union Territory’s education landscape.

The achievement was revealed during a comprehensive review meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo to assess progress in the education sector, including teaching-learning outcomes, infrastructure upgrades, and the integration of technology-driven initiatives.

According to Secretary Education Ram Niwas Sharma, the districts that crossed the 95 per cent literacy threshold include Jammu, Doda, Kathua, Poonch, Rajouri, Samba, Ramban, and Udhampur in Jammu Division, and Anantnag, Baramulla, Pulwama, Kulgam, Ganderbal, Shopian, and Srinagar in Kashmir Division.

Chief Secretary Dulloo directed officials to establish clear milestones and timelines for implementing the Education Department’s long-term strategic plans, stressing that all technological initiatives under the Vidya Samiksha Kendra (VSK) must be completed at the earliest to improve learning outcomes. He said progress under these projects would be reviewed regularly.

He also instructed the department to create a comprehensive roadmap to resolve human resource issues, ensure rational deployment of teaching staff, and streamline service-related matters for teachers’ welfare.

Officials informed that a five-year perspective plan has been prepared to seek special central assistance for bridging critical infrastructure and technology gaps. The plan includes setting up ICT and Smart Classrooms, STEM and Vocational Labs, Virtual Reality and AI-enabled learning setups, and promoting Open Schooling.

The meeting further discussed extending VSK facilities to private schools, introducing digital attendance systems, and expanding e-learning resources. The department also plans to review matriculation and higher secondary results from this academic year to strengthen accountability among teachers and improve outcomes.

Officials said nearly one lakh teachers have undergone training under the NISHTHA programme, while 1.41 lakh students have received vocational training across 1,350 schools. Additionally, 619 Anganwadi Centres have been co-located with primary schools to aid the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

The meeting also reviewed progress under PM SHRI and other centrally sponsored schemes. The department said it is preparing to roll out the Personalised Adaptive Learning (PAL) system to enhance student welfare and boost enrolment in government schools.