The scale of school closures and staff shortages experts say, is reshaping the education landscape in the Union Territory, often at the cost of students from economically weaker sections. While the administration maintains that rationalisation is aimed at improving efficiency and optimising resources, the shortage of teachers is undermining these objectives. | Photo: AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan The ongoing rationalisation of schools in Jammu and Kashmir has raised serious concerns over access to education, particularly in rural and remote areas. In recent years, a total of 4,382 government schools have been closed or merged with nearby institutions under the rationalisation scheme. (Sign up for THEdge, The Hindu’s weekly education newsletter.) Published – April 17, 2026 08:30 am IST Share this: Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email More Click to print (Opens in new window) Print Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window) Pocket Click to share on Mastodon (Opens in new window) Mastodon Click to share on Nextdoor (Opens in new window) Nextdoor Click to share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky Like this:Like Loading... Post navigation How this Tholpavakoothu institute in Thrissur is giving a major fillip to the art form Actor-writer Anita Kalathra on her micro-drama about the Malayali diaspora in the US