Jammu Kashmir Plans K-12 Upgradation Of Rural High Schools, No Immediate Proposal For Primary And Middle Schools

The Jammu and Kashmir School Education Department is considering a proposal to upgrade High Schools, particularly those in rural and far-flung areas, into Higher Secondary or K-12 composite schools to improve access to senior secondary education.

The department, however, said there is currently no immediate proposal to upgrade Primary Schools to Middle Schools or Middle Schools to High Schools.

The information was provided in a written reply to Unstarred D. No. 1/6/64 tabled by Ramgarh MLA Dr Devinder Kumar Manyal in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly.

The department said the proposed exercise would focus mainly on High Schools with classes up to Class X and would be undertaken keeping in view limited access to senior secondary education in rural and far-flung areas.

It said demands for upgradation, including those from Ramgarh constituency in Samba district, would be examined in a phased manner, subject to availability of budgetary provisions and compliance with existing norms.

The department also disclosed that structured career guidance and counselling is being provided to students in Government Schools across J&K under the Samagra Shiksha framework, particularly at the secondary and senior-secondary levels covering Classes IX to XII.

For the current financial year, the Ministry of Education has approved coverage of 2,241 High and Higher Secondary Schools with a financial allocation of Rs 112.05 lakh for the activity.

The programme is intended to help students make informed decisions on higher education and career pathways based on their aptitude, talent and interests, including choices relating to subjects, professional courses, scholarships and employment opportunities.

On fee concessions, the Government said it has already sanctioned a full fee waiver for students from Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) families studying in Classes IX to XII in all Government Schools of Jammu and Kashmir.

Government Order No. 263-JK(Edu) of 2026, dated 8 July 2026, provides for the waiver as a welfare measure to promote equitable access to education.

Under the order, eligible AAY students are exempt from all fees levied by Government Schools, subject to verification of their eligibility and possession of a valid AAY ration card or other prescribed document.

The waiver does not automatically cover fees payable to outside statutory authorities or examining bodies where the School Education Department does not have the authority to waive them, unless the competent authority concerned separately grants an exemption.

Heads of institutions have been directed to verify beneficiaries and maintain records for audit, inspection and verification. The Directors of School Education, Jammu and Kashmir, have also been tasked with ensuring implementation, monitoring and periodic reporting.

The Government said any financial implications arising from the fee waiver would be assessed by the concerned directorates and communicated to the Administrative Department for reimbursement from the Finance Department.

On a broader waiver or reduction of application and examination fees for students belonging to economically weaker sections, the department said the matter remains an administrative issue.