SRINAGAR: Seventy percent government schools in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir do not have a playground with over 65 percent of the institutions still without a boundary wall, official data has revealed.
Although toilet and drinking water facilities have been provided to majority of the institutions, the recent data compiled by the School Education Department and accessed by Kashmir Reader reveal only 7088 schools in J&K accounting for a little over 30 percent of the institutions had a playground for the students. The schools comprise 2798 in Kashmir valley and 4290 in Jammu, as per the data.
As per the official data, 66 percent schools in the Union Territory are without a boundary wall with data revealing that 7998 schools accounting for a little over 34 percent institutions had been provided with a boundary wall by the School Education Department.
As per the figures, 4725 schools in Kashmir and 3273 in Jammu have a boundary wall as on date.
The data further reveals that only 66 percent schools including 5857 institutions in Kashmir and 9493 in Jammu had been provided a land of their own with the rest of the institutions still running from rented accommodation.
As for the library facility, only 7380 schools in J&K accounting for roughly 32 percent of the total institutions have been provided with a library for students. The schools comprise 4867 in Kashmir and 2513 in Jammu as per the data.
Besides, 37 percent schools in J&K are still deprived of electricity, data reads.
However, in terms of the toilet and drinking water facilities, schools in J&K fare relatively better with over 95 percent and 96 percent schools respectively having the facilities in place.
Pertinently, the General Administration Department had in January last year constituted committees in every district of Jammu and Kashmir for achieving 100% saturation in toilets, drinking water and electricity in government schools.
The committees, which were headed by the concerned DCs, were asked to primarily assess the deficit schools and prepare DPRs for the purpose.
The committees were also asked to monitor different works executed by various departments in collaboration with the SED.

Irshad Khan