In the past few months, Jammu and Kashmir’s education system has been facing a silent but alarming crisis. Colleges across the region are grappling with an acute shortage of faculty, leaving students without access to proper education for three months. As semester-end exams loom just two months away, students find themselves unprepared, having not attended a single class. This is not just a disruption to their academic journey but a blow to their future prospects.
The situation has been compounded by the grievances of contractual college teachers, who have been agitating for salary hikes and timely joinings. These educators are often the backbone of many colleges, yet their demands continue to fall on deaf ears. The delay in addressing these issues has led to growing frustration, further deepening the crisis in our education system. These teachers deserve not only fair treatment but also respect for their essential role in shaping the next generation.
What is more disheartening is the stark lack of media attention to this dire situation. Rather than focusing on the real issues impacting education and the future of thousands of students, the media has been sensationalizing individuals like Babar Sher, Abid Rabed, Fayaz Scorpio, and Falak Jan—figures who, in reality, need mental health support rather than the celebrity-like status they have been given. This sensationalism does little to help the community and distracts from the pressing concerns that need urgent attention.
As gatekeepers of public discourse, the media has a responsibility to focus on issues that truly matter. The current neglect of critical education challenges is not just an oversight but a disservice to the community. It is time for journalism in Kashmir to reassess its priorities and address the real crises facing the region. Our students’ future depends on it, and their voices deserve to be heard.
