#EducationReform Archives

Degrees Vs Skills: The Great Indian Job Market Paradox and the Rise of New-Age Education

May 5, 2025May 5, 2025 Editor

The Crisis of Empty Degrees in a Hungry Job Market By: Javid Amin Picture this: Aakash, a 23-year-old engineering graduate from a reputed college in Mumbai, spends months applying for jobs. He has a first-class degree, aced his exams, and even topped his class in theoretical subjects. Yet, he’s rejected repeatedly. Why? “You lack hands-on experience with cloud platforms,” one employer says. “Can you debug this code in Python?” asks another. Aakash’s story isn’t unique—it’s the reality for 15 lakh Indian engineers graduating annually, of whom 80% are unemployable in the tech sector, according to a 2024 Aspiring Minds…

Omar Abdullah Confronts Karnataka CM Over Kashmiri Student’s Harassment

February 20, 2025 Editor

The JKSA said such incidents highlight the alarming culture of unchecked ragging and abuse within educational institutions. J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday raised the issue of a Kashmiri student’s thrashing with Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and sought a First Information Report (FIR) into the incident. “I have spoken to the CM of Karnataka, Siddaramaiahji, about this unfortunate incident. He has assured me that the police have filed an FIR and necessary action will be taken. Four people accused of perpetrating this ragging/thrashing have been identified,” Mr. Abdullah said.…

Class 10 Textbook Blunder: JK Board Under Fire for Copy-Paste Mistakes

February 17, 2025 Editor

The text of the book ‘Disaster Management and Road Safety Education’ has been blindly replaced with ‘UT’ wherever the word ‘state’ existed. Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education has been at the receiving end for an apparent copy-paste job in one of the versions of text book for class 10 as a video of the issue became viral on social media. The text of the book ‘Disaster Management and Road Safety Education’ has been blindly replaced with ‘UT’ wherever ‘state’ existed even in passages with scientific and health related…

Merit Over Residence: Supreme Court Bans Domicile Quota in PG Medical Admissions

January 30, 2025 Editor

Supreme Court strikes down domicile-based reservation for PG medical courses New Delhi, Jan 29: The Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled that providing domicile or residence-based reservation for admissions to postgraduate (PG) medical courses within the State Quota is unconstitutional, as it violates the right to equality under Article 14 of the Constitution of India. The ruling came in the case of Tanvi Behl v. Shreya Goyal, as reported by Bar and Bench. A Bench comprising Justices Hrishikesh Roy, Sudhanshu Dhulia, and SVN Bhatti emphasized that merit alone should determine admissions…

Government Schools See Major Upgrades in Infrastructure and Digital Literacy

January 30, 2025 Editor

Government schools witness improved infra, growth in digital literacy, says report Jammu and Kashmir has made significant progress in access to education and improvements in government school infrastructure. However, much remains to be done to create an inclusive system that ensures every child attends school, according to the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2024. The report indicates a decline in enrolment of children aged 6-14 in government schools compared to 2018. While the enrolment rate for this age group was 58.3 per cent in 2018, it dropped to 55.5…

Education Neutrality: Omar Govt Prohibits Student Participation in Rallies

January 26, 2025 Editor

Omar Government Bans Education Department from Ordering Students to Attend Rallies In a significant move, the Jammu and Kashmir government, led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, has banned the Education Department from directing students or staff to participate in political programmes or rallies. This decision comes in response to widespread criticism following a controversial circular issued by the Poonch Chief Education Officer, which mandated the participation of students and teachers in a Tiranga rally organized by the RSS-affiliated ABVP. The ban, issued through a circular by the School Education Department,…

Crackdown on Capitation Fees: Education Minister Promises Strict Action

January 15, 2025 Editor

Will take action against schools demanding capitation fee: Education Minister Sakina Masood Srinagar, Jan 14: The Minister for Education, Health and Medical Education and Social Welfare Sakina Masood today called on parents to formally report schools demanding capitation fees, assuring them of the government’s strict action against such institutions. Speaking to media, Masood emphasised the need for community cooperation to curb this unethical practice. “Parents must put their foot down and assist the government in addressing this issue. We will ensure the strictest action against schools violating norms,” she said.…

BOSE Guidelines Ignored: Private Schools Force Parents to Buy Specific Textbooks

January 4, 2025January 4, 2025 Editor

Private schools forcing to buy textbooks other than prescribed by BOSE: Parents Parents in Handwara area of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district have raised concerns over alleged exploitation by private schools, which are reportedly forcing students to purchase textbooks other than prescribed by Board of School Education Department. Several parents have voiced frustration, claiming the schools are disregarding official regulations and imposing arbitrary book prices that range from two to three thousand rupees per set. Parents said that they were being directed to specific bookstores, with no alternatives offered, and that…

Kashmir’s Unemployment Crisis: Challenges and Strategic Interventions

December 13, 2024December 13, 2024 Editor

Unemployment in Kashmir: Challenges, Causes, and Strategic Solutions By: Javid Amin Unemployment, defined as the inability of individuals who are willing and able to work to secure employment, is a pressing issue across the globe. In Kashmir, however, the problem is particularly acute, with young people facing limited opportunities amidst a challenging economic and political environment. Addressing unemployment in the region requires an in-depth understanding of its root causes and a multifaceted approach to crafting sustainable solutions. Understanding the Causes of Unemployment in Kashmir 1. Overdependence on Government Jobs A…

Cambridge Affiliation in J&K Schools: Governance and Parental Concerns

December 10, 2024 Editor

Who governs Cambridge affiliated schools in J&K? Srinagar, Dec 9: Over the past few years, several JK Board of School Education (BOSE) affiliated private schools across the Valley have switched their affiliation while other schools are in process of switching their affiliation to other national and international boards. The move under which the schools are switching their affiliations to different international boards particularly Cambridge, has created apprehensions among the parents about the regulation of these institutions post shifting of the affiliations. The management of a private school in Srinagar, previously…