Leepa Valley, Pakistan-Administered Kashmir: In the remote village of Ghai Pura, nestled in the mountainous Leepa Valley near the Line of Control (LoC), students at the area’s sole high school are braving sub-zero temperatures and crumbling infrastructure to pursue an education. With no furniture, leaking roofs, and cracked walls, children as young as six sit on ice-covered floors during winter months, their classrooms reduced to precarious shelters in a region long neglected by authorities.
A School Forgotten
Established in 1935 as a primary school and upgraded to a high school in 1990, the Ghai Pura institution once prided itself on strong academic results. But after a devastating earthquake destroyed much of the structure, the government has yet to initiate repairs. Today, the building stands as a symbol of systemic neglect: walls riddled with cracks, ceilings leaking during rain and snow, and no desks or chairs for its 450 students 200 girls and 250 boys.
“We have no choice but to sit on the ice. Our hands go numb, but we keep studying,” said a female student, her breath visible in the freezing air. “We beg the government to rebuild our school and give us basic facilities.”
Proximity to Peril
The school’s location, just 100 meters from Indian military posts, adds another layer of danger. Parents and teachers describe constant anxiety over cross-border tensions, compounded by the lack of secure infrastructure. “Our children study under the shadow of enemy guns,” said a local elder. “Yet their greatest battle is against the cold and neglect.”
Community Outcry and Empty Promises
Villagers accuse the government of abandoning their children’s future. While an NGO has pledged to construct temporary shelters, residents demand permanent solutions. “A patchwork shelter won’t fix years of indifference,” said a community leader. “This isn’t just about one school it’s about the collapse of our entire education system.”
The school’s plight underscores broader struggles in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, where underfunded infrastructure and geopolitical tensions disproportionately impact border communities. Despite the region’s strategic sensitivity, schools like Ghai Pura’s lack electricity, heating, and even basic safety measures.
Call to Action
Students and activists are urging immediate government intervention:
- Reconstruction of the earthquake-damaged building.
- Provision of furniture, heating, and separate facilities for girls.
- Upgrades to ensure safety amid harsh winters and security risks.
“How can we talk about progress when our children shiver in ruins?” asked a teacher. “The world must see their resilience and our leaders’ failures.”
Broader Implications
The Ghai Pura school highlights systemic issues in marginalized regions of Kashmir, where communities face dual burdens of geopolitical strife and administrative apathy. With literacy rates in the valley lagging behind national averages, advocates warn that neglecting education risks perpetuating cycles of poverty and instability.
The Azadi Times, a Kashmir based news agency, continues to spotlight stories of resilience and injustice in the region.
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