Kashmir Students at Risk in Cracked Kupwara School
The Government Upper Primary School (UPS) in Dardhaji, Rajwar area of Kupwara district, Kashmir, is operating under severe safety risks due to crumbling infrastructure. Two main school buildings have developed extensive cracks, raising fears of an imminent collapse that could endanger hundreds of students and staff.
Despite the deteriorating condition, classes continue in the six-room facility—four rooms used for teaching and two for administration—forcing students and teachers to work in unsafe conditions. Parents and locals have repeatedly appealed to authorities for a new building, but their requests remain unaddressed. “The buildings can collapse anytime, putting students’ lives at risk,” said a local parent. Temporary relief came when tents were installed on the premises following media coverage two years ago. However, these were later removed, leaving the school exposed to continuing danger.
The school also suffers from inadequate facilities, including insufficient toilets, especially affecting female students. Renovations have been partial and have failed to meet basic requirements. Officials from the Education Department said they have approached the community to acquire alternative land for a new school building, citing concerns over the current site’s unstable land. However, no concrete progress has been reported. Residents and activists express growing frustration over the government’s delay in addressing the urgent need for safe, sustainable infrastructure in rural schools of Kupwara. The ongoing neglect threatens not only student safety but also access to quality education in the region.
