SRINAGAR, OCT 11: 146 Schools in Jammu and Kashmir Function with Zero Students A shocking official report has revealed that at least 61 teachers in Jammu and Kashmir are drawing salaries while being posted in 146 schools that have zero students, exposing a massive mismanagement in the Union Territory’s education system and raising serious questions about resource allocation.
The Shocking Numbers: UDISE+ 2024-25 Data
KEY FINDINGS:
- 146 Schools with zero enrolment
- 61 Teachers posted in empty schools
- 1,371 Schools with single teacher
- 32,303 Students in single-teacher schools
Single-Teacher Schools Crisis Worsens
The crisis extends beyond empty classrooms. The Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE Plus) 2024-25 data shows the situation in single-teacher schools has deteriorated significantly compared to previous years:
| Academic Year | Single-Teacher Schools | Students Affected | Change from Previous Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 | 1,330 Schools | 31,054 Students | Baseline |
| 2024-25 | 1,371 Schools | 32,303 Students | ↑ 41 Schools |
Historical Context: School Closures
This isn’t a new problem for Jammu and Kashmir’s education sector. As Kashmir News Observer (KNO) first reported last year:
- Over 4,394 government schools were closed due to “zero or extremely low” enrolment
- These schools were deleted from the UDISE database in July 2024
- Jammu and Kashmir has a total of 23,117 government-run schools
The Big Questions Unanswered
CRITICAL QUESTIONS:
- Why are 61 teachers still posted in schools with zero students?
- What is the education department’s plan to rationalize teacher deployment?
- How does having 1,371 single-teacher schools affect education quality?
- Why has the situation worsened compared to last year?
Official Silence
Despite repeated attempts to get official clarification:
- Secretary, School Education Department – Not available for comment
- Jammu and Kashmir Samagra Shiksha Project Director – Not available for comment
What This Means for J&K’s Education
The data reveals a dual crisis in Jammu and Kashmir’s education system:
Resource Mismanagement:
- Teachers deployed where there are no students
- Critical shortage of teachers in other schools
- Waste of government resources and taxpayer money
Quality Compromise:
- 32,303 students receiving education from single teachers
- Impossible for one teacher to handle multiple subjects and classes
- Direct impact on learning outcomes and educational quality
How We Reported This Story
- Data Source: Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE Plus) 2024-25
- Original Reporting: Kashmir News Observer (KNO)
- Official Comments Attempted: School Education Department, Samagra Shiksha
Read More Education Stories: JKSSB Latest Recruitment 2025 | JKBOSE Date Sheet 2025
Published By: Times of Kashmir Education Desk
Data Source: UDISE+ 2024-25, KNO
Last Updated: October 11, 2025 | 06:30 PM IST