Srinagar, Oct 25 (JKNS): The Private Schools Association of Jammu and Kashmir (PSAJK) on Saturday expressed deep concern over the “academic time deficit” faced by students in the Union Territory, revealing that schoolchildren in J&K receive nearly 36% fewer instructional hours than their counterparts in other parts of the country.
Addressing a press conference after a seminar on “Roadmap to Achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in J&K”, PSAJK President Nazrul Islam Baba as per news agency JKNS said that the shorter academic duration in the region has created a structural disadvantage for local students.
“While a student in South India spends over 1,700 hours annually in school, a student in Jammu and Kashmir clocks only around 1,086 hours, a shortfall of more than 600 hours,” Baba said, stressing that this gap translates into nearly 104 lost working days each year.
The event, organised by PSAJK, focused on aligning J&K’s education framework with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Quality Education, Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions, and Partnerships for the Goals.
Speakers at the seminar called for the establishment of an Apex Advisory Body to rationalise the academic calendar, extend instructional time, and enhance coordination between private and government institutions.
The association also urged collective participation from the government, educators, civil society, and parents to ensure parity with national education standards and to foster a student-centric, modern learning environment in J&K.
“Bridging this academic gap is not just about more school hours, it’s about giving our children a fair chance to compete nationally,” the PSAJK president said.
Association reaffirmed its commitment to improving educational quality through constructive partnership and sustainable reforms. (JKNS)
