Gujjar leader seeks policy for proper functioning of mobile schools in J-K

Jammu, February 9

A prominent Gujjar leader on Sunday demanded a policy to ensure the proper functioning of mobile schools meant to benefit half-settled and unsettled nomadic Gujjar and Bakerwal tribes in Jammu and Kashmir.

Shamsher Hakla Poonchi also demanded a tribal university and opening of boarding schools on the pattern of Navodaya Vidyalaya in all districts of the UT.

“The previous government in the erstwhile state had opened mobile schools for the children of Gujjar and Bakarwal tribes and that had to move with the nomadic communities during the six months of summer season,” Poonchi said in a statement.

He said many mobile schools did not move with these tribes during the summer season, as a result of which the children were losing out on studies.

“Many mobile schools have been converted to stationary schools. The people of half-settled and unsettled tribes of Gujjar and Bakarwal are living a difficult life and their children are lagging in education,” Poonchi said.

Alleging that the benefits of government schemes had not reached them, he urged Lt-Governor GC Murmu, to look into the issue and frame a policy to ensure the proper functioning of the mobile schools for the educationally, economically, socially and politically backward Gujjar and Bakarwal tribes.

Meanwhile, the Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation (TRCF), an organisation working to uplift Gujjars and Bakerwals, demanded the establishment of a full-fledged department of Gojri in Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University in Rajouri district.

“A good number of students are interested to opt for Gojri as one of the subjects at postgraduate level, but it is not available,” the TRCF said and urged the university VCProf Javed Masarat to intervene in the matter and issue necessary directions. — PTI

Demand for full-fledged Gojri Department

Jammu: Demanding the establishment of a full-fledged Gojri department in Baba Ghulam Shah Badashah University (BGSBU), Rajouri, Gujjars and Bakerwals on Sunday said many tribal youths wanted to study the language at the post-graduate level. Prominent tribal intellectuals raised the demand during a programme organised by the Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation which urged Prof Javed Masarat, VC of the university, to intervene and issue necessary directions in this regard. — TNS