Challenges in Education: The Aftermath of the 2005 Earthquake in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir
In 2005, a devastating earthquake struck Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, severely impacting the education sector. Many students lost their lives, and numerous schools were damaged. Nearly two decades later, many school buildings remain unreconstructed, leaving students without proper facilities.
Struggles of a Local School
In a remote village near Chinari City, a local girls’ school employee named Ghulam expressed his disappointment over the ongoing issues. He stated, “Our school was damaged in the 2005 earthquake, resulting in the loss of two children and injuries to fifteen others. We have attempted to rebuild the school, but the children continue to face difficulties in learning.”
Ghulam highlighted the challenges faced during winter, with heavy snowfall and no benches for the children. He appealed to the government for support, saying, “I request that some facilities be provided so that the children can continue their education.”
Teacher’s Perspective
A female teacher at the school shared her concerns, stating that they struggle during winters to continue the studies. “We only have a single roof over our heads, which is barely enough for the students to continue their studies,” she said.
Broader Educational Challenges
The education system in PoJK faces numerous challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, teacher shortages, and outdated curricula. These issues, combined with socio-economic factors and political instability, contribute to high dropout rates and limited access to education, particularly for girls.
Doubts Revealed
2005 Earthquake -: In 2005, a big earthquake happened in the region of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. An earthquake is when the ground shakes because of movements deep inside the Earth. This earthquake was very strong and caused a lot of damage to buildings, including schools.
Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir -: This is a region that is part of the larger area of Jammu and Kashmir, which is claimed by both India and Pakistan. ‘Occupied’ means that Pakistan controls this part of the region.
Chinari City -: Chinari is a small city in the Pakistan-occupied part of Jammu and Kashmir. It is one of the places affected by the 2005 earthquake.
Ghulam -: Ghulam is a person who works at a girls’ school in a village near Chinari City. He is concerned about the lack of proper school facilities, especially during cold winters.
Infrastructure -: Infrastructure refers to the basic physical structures needed for a place to function, like buildings, roads, and power supplies. In this context, it means the school buildings and facilities that are not in good condition.
Teacher shortages -: This means there are not enough teachers to teach all the students. It can make it hard for students to learn properly because there are too many students for each teacher.
Outdated curricula -: Curricula are the subjects and materials that are taught in schools. ‘Outdated’ means they are old and not up-to-date with current knowledge or teaching methods, which can affect how well students learn.
