The impacts of political conflict on education in areas with high conflict is often overseen, manifesting in low literacy rates contributing to increased violence which create a vicious cycle, as is the case with education in Jammu and Kashmir.
The persistent conflict between India and Pakistan over Kashmir since the partition of India and Pakistan in 1947 has had severe impacts on education in the region, which is often overlooked. The major obstacle to basic education in the region is the irregularities created by the conflict. In case of heavy shelling or other risk in the border region, schools may be closed on short notice and these breaks in the academic schedule hamper the students’ learning ability. In fact, studies show that there is a reduction in achievement scores, particularly reading and math, when students return to schools after a long break. According to Indiaspend 207 working days were lost in 1991, 112 working days in 2010 and 130 working days in 2016 owing to the conflict in the region. Students are missing more than half of their school days due to the conflict which explains the failure of education systems in Jammu and Kashmir. Evidence of the poor education in the state is the mass promotion of students of classes 8,9 and 11 due to inability to complete syllabus owing to the significantly decreased number of working days.
Furthermore, the psycho-social impacts of living in a conflict region on the mental health of children demonstrated by fear, anxiety and depression and the lack of adequate counselling and mental health aid in these regions has an adverse impact on the abilities of these children to perform in school.
Illiteracy has long been linked to crime and violence, which again causes a reduction in literacy, in order to break this vicious cycle, it is important for governments and citizens to act resolutely to ensure basic education for the citizens of Jammu and Kashmir. It is essential for governments to mitigate the risks of going to school and spending the day in schools which may be possible through increasing the number of schools in the region and reducing the distance to the nearest school. Governments can also avail remote schooling options such as radio broadcasting or online learning to permit scheduled education to continue even in timed of conflict. Lastly, incentives such as mid-day meals may be a decisive factor in increasing the literacy rates in Jammu and Kashmir.