Budgam, August 8 (JKNS): Residents of Khag Shanglipora in central Kashmir’s Budgam district held a protest on Friday, urging the government to upgrade the existing girls’ school in the area to a higher secondary level.
The aggrieved locals said the government established a primary school in the village back in 1953, which was later upgraded to a middle school. “Since then, there has been no further development despite increasing student enrolment and inadequate infrastructure,” one of the protestors told news agency JKNS.
They voiced serious concern that the absence of a higher secondary facility has forced many girls to drop out after completing the 8th standard. “This is taking a toll on female education and literacy in the region,” another protester added.
“The government repeatedly claims to strengthen the education system, yet our school has not seen any upgrade for decades. Our daughters are being deprived of their right to education,” the protestors said while appealing to the Education Minister and Director School Education to take immediate action.
They also sought the intervention of MLA Khansahib Saifuddin Butt to raise the issue with concerned authorities and ensure the long-pending demand is fulfilled.
Locals said that despite living in a far-flung area, they deserve equal access to quality education. “Our village has been neglected for decades. It’s high time our daughters get a chance to study beyond middle school,” they said. (JKNS)