Jammu’s rural schools are in dire straits today, September 24, 2025, as the aftermath of August’s devastating floods continues to disrupt education, leaving thousands of students in villages like Akhnoor, Reasi, and Doda without proper classrooms. Damaged buildings, washed-out roads, and a shortage of teachers have forced many schools to delay full reopening, even as urban centers like Jammu city resume normal classes. The crisis, compounded by the Maharaja Hari Singh holiday closure, has parents and educators worried about learning losses, especially for kids preparing for board exams. The government’s slow response has sparked calls for urgent repairs and temporary solutions to keep education on track.
The floods hit rural schools hardest, with over 200 government institutions in the Jammu division reporting damage, per the Directorate of School Education. In Akhnoor, schools like the Government Higher Secondary in Chowki Choura lost walls and books to floodwaters, while muddy access roads keep students away. In Reasi, near the Vaishno Devi route, several primary schools are still flooded, with desks floating in ankle-deep water. Teachers in Doda say they’re short-staffed, as some staff haven’t returned post-floods, and temporary hires are hard to find. “Kids are losing months of study,” said Anita Kumari, a headmistress in Reasi, who’s been holding open-air classes under trees.
The impact is stark: over 10,000 students in rural Jammu are affected, with attendance down 40% in some areas. Parents, already hit by crop losses, can’t afford private schools or coaching, leaving kids reliant on broken public systems. In villages like Marh, families are pooling money to fix school roofs, but it’s not enough. The Navratri holiday today, while a cultural highlight, means another day of no classes, piling on the backlog. Students preparing for Class 10 and 12 boards, set for March 2026, are especially at risk, with syllabus coverage lagging by 30%, per local teachers’ estimates.
The government’s response has drawn flak. The Education Department promised repair funds in August, but only 25% of the Rs 50 crore allocated has reached schools, bogged down by red tape. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah visited a damaged school in Udhampur last week, announcing mobile classrooms and emergency grants, but rural principals say they’ve seen little action. Urban schools in Jammu city, like those in Gandhi Nagar, are back to normal, highlighting the urban-rural divide. A small protest by parents in Kathua today demanded faster repairs and free textbooks, with #JammuSchools trending alongside Navratri posts.
Teachers are doing what they can. In Akhnoor, some hold classes in community halls, but space is tight, and power cuts disrupt online backups. Rural girls, who face longer walks to school due to damaged bridges, are dropping out at higher rates, with female enrollment down 15% since July. The floods also wiped out school supplies – books, boards, and even uniforms – and parents can’t replace them. “My daughter hasn’t studied properly in weeks,” said Ramesh Lal, a farmer from Doda, whose school lacks desks.
The crisis ties into broader governance issues. The Jammu Development Authority, tasked with infrastructure, is focused on urban projects like flyovers, leaving rural schools low on the list. Schemes like Samagra Shiksha exist, but funds are slow, and teacher training for post-disaster recovery is missing. Urban parents in Talab Tillo, meanwhile, are pushing for digital classes, but rural areas lack the internet to make it work. The Education Department’s helpline is flooded with complaints, but answers are vague.
This isn’t just about buildings – it’s about Jammu’s future. Kids in rural areas deserve the same shot as their city peers. The government needs to fast-track funds, hire temporary teachers, and set up mobile schools now. With board exams looming, every day counts.