No proposal under consideration to upgrade rural schools

Arif Rashid
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21 Feb 2026

Srinagar, Feb 20: The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Friday informed the House that the School Education Department has received multiple demands from rural and remote areas seeking upgradation of schools to the next higher level. However, it clarified that there is no immediate proposal under consideration for further upgradation. Replying to a question raised by MLA Abdul Majeed Bhat, the Minister-in-Charge of the Jammu and Kashmir School Education Department said that a significant number of schools have already been upgraded in recent years. The department is currently focusing on developing requisite infrastructure and ensuring adequate staffing, particularly in newly upgraded institutions. “The upgradation of schools to the next level involves substantial financial implications for infrastructure development and creation of teaching posts, which requires concurrence from the Finance Department,” the Minister said. The Minister further explained that school upgradation is subject to the fulfilment of prescribed criteria and feasibility norms, including distance from the nearest school of the same category, availability of feeding schools, and minimum enrolment in the top class. Criteria for Upgradation ; From Primary School (PS) to Middle School (MS): Minimum distance of 3 kilometres from the nearest Middle School. At least two feeding Primary Schools. Top class enrolment of not less than 20 students. From Middle School (MS) to High School (HS): Minimum distance of 5 kilometres from the nearest High School. Intake capacity of 20 students for a single section and 50 for a double section. From High School (HS) to Higher Secondary School (HSS): Distance of 7–10 kilometres from the nearest Higher Secondary School. Intake capacity of more than 50 students. The Minister said that proposals for upgradation may be considered strictly on the basis of feasibility reports, adherence to existing norms, and urgency of requirement wherever necessary.