SRINAGAR, Feb 12, 2026 — Minister for Education, Sakeena Itoo, informed the Legislative Assembly today that the government’s primary focus has shifted toward consolidating infrastructure and ensuring adequate teaching faculty in schools that have already undergone upgrades. Responding to a query from Legislator Dr. Sajjad Shafi regarding the further expansion of educational facilities, the Minister clarified that while school up-gradation remains a continuous and ongoing process, the current priority is to strengthen existing institutions rather than creating new ones. She emphasized that all proposals for elevation are scrutinized strictly against prescribed norms, including distance, the number of feeding schools, and enrollment figures.
Minister Itoo further explained that there is currently no immediate proposal to upgrade additional existing schools to higher levels. She highlighted that such transitions carry significant financial implications, requiring the creation of new infrastructure as well as both teaching and non-teaching posts, which necessitates formal concurrence from the Finance Department. By focusing on the “consolidation” phase, the department aims to ensure that upgraded schools are not just higher in designation, but are fully equipped with the resources and staff needed to provide quality education.
While the general policy remains focused on stabilization, the Minister acknowledged that certain regions require a more tailored approach. Specifically, she noted that areas like Uri demand special consideration due to their extreme remoteness and the limited access residents have to higher education. In a reassuring gesture to the House, she stated that institutions in Uri and similarly marginalized sectors would be prioritized when the government eventually resumes the school up-gradation process.
