Mushtaq Bala
As schools across Jammu and Kashmir near the close of the academic year, an unsettling gap has emerged in the valley’s education system — the absence of Kashmiri language textbooks for students up to Class 8 in government schools. The delay, which has persisted for months, has left parents and teachers deeply concerned about the future of the region’s mother tongue and the sincerity of official claims about promoting local languages in the curriculum.
Despite the government’s repeated assertions that the Kashmiri language would be made compulsory at the elementary level, the failure to provide textbooks has created confusion and frustration among educators and parents alike. The issue has reignited an old debate about the neglect of the Kashmiri language in formal education and the systemic indifference that continues to hinder its growth.
A Language Mandated but Missing
In 2021, the Union Territory administration, under the National Education Policy (NEP-2020), announced that five regional languages — Kashmiri, Dogri, Hindi, Urdu, and English — would be taught at the school level to promote linguistic diversity and cultural identity. However, while other subjects and languages have seen timely availability of textbooks, Kashmiri remains a glaring omission from classrooms across government-run schools in the Valley.
Teachers from various districts, including Srinagar, Pulwama, Baramulla, and Anantnag, told Kashmir Pen that they have not received any official communication or material for Kashmiri language instruction for the current academic session. “We were told that Kashmiri will be compulsory up to Class 8, but how do we teach without textbooks? Students have been promoted mid-session without learning even basic reading and writing skills in their own language,” said a teacher from a government middle school in downtown Srinagar.
Another teacher from north Kashmir’s Kupwara district said the absence of textbooks had forced them to rely on photocopied notes or outdated materials. “This not only creates inconsistency in learning but also discourages students from taking the subject seriously,” he added.
Parents Decry Neglect of Cultural Roots
Parents, too, have voiced their disappointment, calling it ironic that the language spoken by millions in the Valley remains ignored in the very institutions meant to preserve it. “We have always told our children to take pride in their mother tongue. But how can they do that when the system itself treats Kashmiri as optional?” asked Mehnaz Ahmad, a parent from Bemina.
Several parents argued that the absence of proper teaching material for Kashmiri undermines the government’s cultural policy and could weaken the linguistic link between new generations and their heritage. Many have called for accountability from the J&K Board of School Education (JKBOSE), which is responsible for producing and distributing textbooks.
“It’s not just about textbooks — it’s about cultural identity,” said a parent from Pulwama. “If the government can publish books for every other subject on time, why not Kashmiri? This shows where our priorities lie.”
Experts Warn of Long-Term Consequences
Linguists and education experts warn that such lapses could have far-reaching implications. Dr. Shafiqa Qadri, a retired language professor, said that the absence of Kashmiri textbooks for foundational classes sends a negative message about the state’s commitment to linguistic preservation. “The early school years are the most crucial for language learning. Neglecting Kashmiri at this stage means that children may grow up unable to read or write in their own mother tongue,” she noted.
She added that while oral use of Kashmiri continues to thrive in homes and markets, written literacy in the language is steadily declining. “Without institutional support, we risk producing a generation disconnected from the literary and cultural wealth of Kashmiri,” Dr. Qadri warned.
Government Response and Unanswered Questions
When contacted, officials from the JKBOSE and the Education Department offered little clarity. Some cited “technical delays” in printing and distribution, while others hinted at “curriculum restructuring” under NEP guidelines. However, no definite timeline has been provided for when the textbooks will reach schools.
An education department insider, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that the delay was partly due to the non-finalization of new content by the curriculum committee. “The review of Kashmiri textbooks under NEP standards took longer than expected. However, the process is now nearing completion,” the official claimed.
A Call for Action
Educators and civil society members have urged the government to treat the issue as a priority rather than a procedural delay. “Languages die not by accident but by neglect,” said noted educationist Dr. Fayaz Lone. “If we continue to deprive our students of learning materials, we are complicit in the erosion of our own linguistic identity.”
For now, Kashmiri language teachers remain in limbo, improvising lessons without textbooks and relying on their personal knowledge to keep the language alive in classrooms. But as months pass without progress, frustration grows among those who see the disappearance of Kashmiri from formal education as a reflection of larger cultural indifference.
The silence of institutions, many argue, is more damaging than the absence of books. “We don’t just need textbooks — we need a commitment,” said a senior school headmaster in Srinagar. “Without that, Kashmiri will continue to fade from the hearts and minds of our children.”
Editor’s Note:
The Kashmir Pen views the continued neglect of Kashmiri textbooks in government schools as a grave cultural and educational lapse. The mother tongue is not merely a medium of communication — it is the lifeline of identity, heritage, and continuity. The government must move beyond rhetoric and ensure that the Kashmiri language receives institutional respect and resources equal to any other subject. Failing to do so will not only weaken linguistic diversity but also alienate our children from their own roots — an outcome no society can afford.
Teaser:
Kashmiri language left without textbooks in government schools — educators warn of a growing disconnect between children and their mother tongue.
Mushtaq Bala is Editor-in-Chief of Kashmir Pen, an award-winning filmmaker, cultural comme tator, and advocate for peace through narrative media.
