There was a time—not too long ago—when government schools in Jammu and Kashmir stood tall in the hearts of communities. Teachers taught with dedication. Students came with hope. And parents believed in the system.
The classrooms were modest, but the purpose was noble. Education was a shared dream, not a product to be sold.
But now, that trust is fading.
Private coaching centers have taken root in every corner. They promise success—for a price. And that price is steep.
In 2024, India’s private tutoring industry was valued at around ₹58,000 crore, growing at 15% annually, according to The Times of India.
Jammu and Kashmir alone is home to over 2,000 coaching centers, with families spending nearly ₹2,500 crore each year just to keep up. Parents from lower-middle-class backgrounds are pushing beyond their means.
Some even take loans. All for one promise: a brighter future.
But here’s the truth: the teachers in our government schools are just as qualified—often more experienced—than those in private centers. The issue isn’t capability. It’s perception.
The belief in government schools has eroded. And that’s what we need to reclaim.
A system losing its children
Recent data from The Hindu paints a sobering picture: In Jammu and Kashmir, government school enrollment among children aged 6–14 dropped from 72.9% in 2022 to 66.8% in 2024.
Post-pandemic, parents have shifted toward private education. Why? Because they believe it works better. Not because it always does—but because trust is now a government schools lack.
And when trust is gone, even the best teachers struggle to shine.
In the past, the local school was a hub of community life. Teachers were revered, and education was seen as a tool for empowerment. Now, parents feel cornered, believing that the only way to secure a future for their children is through private tuition and coaching classes, which has led to the rise of a parallel education system.
But, what if the system that worked for generations was still capable of delivering? What if we could revive that golden era of government schools?
Voices from the Valley
Shabir, a parent from Srinagar, speaks with a sense of frustration. “Coaching centers are everywhere, but who can afford them? The government schools were once enough. Now, my son’s future feels like a gamble if I don’t send him to a private center. But it’s killing us financially,” he says. For him, the solution isn’t more private options, but a return to strengthening the education system that once worked for everyone.
Similarly, Zahoor from Dewalgam Anantnag echoes these concerns. “The government schools, back in the day, offered a solid education. But now, it feels like the system has forgotten us. Why don’t we invest in those schools instead of letting these expensive coaching centers dominate? If only the government would refine and upgrade the schools, we wouldn’t have to pay a fortune just for basic education,” Zahoor states.
Both parents, like many others, are voicing the need to refine and restore the government education system, not rely on expensive private alternatives that often come with their own pressures.
Where Do We Begin?
It starts with mindset.
Belief is the backbone of any system. Government schools will only thrive when teachers, parents, and communities come together in faith.
The Teacher’s Role: Lead with Example
Teachers are the soul of the education system. They carry the wisdom, training, and commitment to shape generations. But here’s a bold idea: what if they led with a simple act?
Enroll their own children in government schools.
That act alone would shake assumptions. It would say, “If I, a teacher who knows this system inside out, trust it for my child—so can you.” One decision like that can shift the entire narrative. Because belief is contagious.
When Shabir talks about his skepticism, it’s clear he feels abandoned by a system that he once trusted. But what if the teachers in these schools became the first to stand with the students they teach? What if they chose to raise their own children in the same classrooms they work in, instilling a faith that the system can work? The ripple effect would be profound.
Parents would see that the people who shape the system—those who understand its strengths and weaknesses—believe in it enough to entrust their children’s futures to it. This simple act would help shift the culture of distrust and begin the long process of rebuilding faith in public education.
The Parent’s Role: Rethink the Race
Parents today are conditioned to think private coaching is the only path to success. But that belief is taking a toll. A recent study revealed that 44.45% of coaching students suffer from high academic stress, compared to just 3.33% of non-coaching students.
In Kota, Rajasthan—India’s coaching capital—26 student suicides were reported in 2023 alone, as reported by The Hindu.
Is this what we want for our children?
More money, more pressure, more fear?
Government schools—when strengthened—offer something different: holistic education, inclusiveness, and stability. They aren’t just the cheaper option—they can be the better option. And Zahoor’s sentiment echoes that thought: “We need the government schools to be revamped. Our children deserve a better system—one that’s equitable, affordable, and stress-free. We need reforms, not more private centers that drain our resources.”
It’s easy to look at private coaching as the answer. They promise higher marks, better rankings, and a faster track to success. But at what cost? The pressure these children face is unimaginable. Their well-being is sacrificed at the altar of academic success. And when this pressure builds up, it often leads to tragic consequences.
Government schools, on the other hand, offer a balanced approach to education. They don’t just focus on marks; they focus on the overall development of the child. They teach values, encourage creative thinking, and prepare children to face life’s challenges with resilience. What we need is to bring back the essence of this model.
What the experts say
Dr. C. Usha, Assistant Professor at KSOU, has highlighted how the coaching culture is silently harming our youth. As per The Indian Express, she argues that excessive academic pressure without proper mental health support is causing anxiety, depression, and burnout.
She advocates for urgent reforms, including counseling in schools, to support students, especially those preparing for exams like NEET and JEE.
Experts agree: our children need guidance, not pressure. They need mentors, not marksheets. The government schools—if revamped—can provide that mentorship. They can support students holistically, addressing their academic and emotional needs.
Moreover, mental health experts also highlight the importance of creating a nurturing environment within schools where students can thrive. Simple reforms, such as integrating mental health education, offering peer counseling, and reducing the number of students per classroom, can go a long way in alleviating stress and helping children manage their pressures.
Rebuilding trust, one step at a time
Restoring the golden era of government schools isn’t about one dramatic reform. It’s about many small, courageous choices. It’s about teachers who believe in the system. It’s about parents who decide that education is not a commodity to be bought but a right to be nurtured. It’s about communities that take pride in the schools they send their children to.
When teachers trust the schools they serve, others begin to trust too. When parents stop chasing illusions and start believing in community education, things begin to change. When we stop treating education as a product—and return it to its place as a public good—we reclaim what we once had.
It’s not just about classrooms. It’s about conviction.
As we move forward, it is imperative that the government invests in the upgrading and revitalization of government schools. The system, when nurtured, has the potential to serve every child, regardless of background. Teachers need better resources and professional development, and schools need the funding to make that happen.
Communities, too, need to be part of this transformation. We must stop seeing government schools as the “fallback option” and begin to view them as places of potential, places where our children can receive an education that shapes their future in the most meaningful way.
Let’s bring back that belief. Let’s bring back that golden era.
It’s still possible. One act of faith at a time.
