Suhail Rather
Srinagar, July 18 (KNS): Every year, thousands of Gujjar and Bakarwal families undertake their centuries-old seasonal migration from the plains of Jammu and the Pir Panjal region to the high-altitude meadows of Kashmir. Covering districts such as Bandipora, Gurez, Kupwara and Baramulla, they spend nearly six months in alpine pastures grazing their livestock before returning home ahead of winter.
For the community, migration is a way of life. But for their children, it often means months without education.
This year, the problem has become more severe. Changing weather patterns, shrinking grazing lands, prolonged dry spells and restrictions on traditional forest routes have forced many families to settle in newer and more remote locations. While the camps have moved, seasonal schools have largely remained at their old sites, leaving hundreds of children without access to teachers.
Twelve-year-old Humaira, a Class 6 student who migrated from Rajouri to Tragbal in Bandipora, says she has spent the entire summer waiting for classes that never began.
"I packed my books because I believed teachers would arrive like they usually do," she said. "Every day I look at my school bag, hoping someone will teach us, but no one has come."
Humaira dreams of becoming a doctor so she can serve people living in remote mountain areas where healthcare remains inaccessible.
Nearby, Shabir Ahmed, another student from Poonch, says the disruption follows them every year.
"When we return home, our classmates are already far ahead in their studies. We struggle to catch up even though missing school is never our choice," he said, adding that many children eventually lose interest because of repeated interruptions.
In the upper reaches of Uri, Class 8 student Amina Begum continues carrying her textbooks during migration despite knowing there is little chance of attending classes.
"I want to become a teacher one day so children like us don't have to suffer," she said. "Sometimes it feels like nobody even remembers we exist."
Parents say they are determined to educate their children, but changing migration patterns have made the existing system ineffective.
"Earlier, there was enough grass, and we stayed at fixed places where schools were set up. Now we are forced to move much higher because pastures have dried up. The schools remain where they used to be, while our camps are several kilometres away," he said.
He believes education policies must adapt to climate realities.
"Our migration routes have changed because the environment has changed. If families move, schools should also move."
Shabana Begum, another parent, says the lack of education worries her more than the hardships of migration itself.
"We never had the opportunity to study, but we wanted a different future for our children," she said. "They carry books along with blankets and food, hoping they will attend classes. Months pass, and those books remain unopened."
She urged the government to deploy teachers with migrating groups.
"We are not asking for permanent buildings. Even one teacher for every small cluster of families would ensure our children don't lose half their education every year."
Residents also point to growing challenges beyond education. Increased encounters with wild animals, long distances to healthcare facilities and difficult terrain have made life in the highlands even more challenging.
Although the Jammu and Kashmir administration has introduced initiatives such as GIS-based mapping, mobile education centres and health outreach programmes for nomadic populations, many families say these services are yet to reach the newly established grazing sites created by changing climatic conditions.
An Education Department official in north Kashmir acknowledged that seasonal teacher deployment has been delayed this year.
"Orders for seasonal teachers have recently been issued, and many have started reporting to their assigned locations. We will ensure the issue is looked into so that children from the nomadic community receive uninterrupted education," the official said.
For children like Humaira, however, every day without a classroom is another day lost. As their families continue searching for greener pastures in Kashmir's mountains, they continue waiting—not just for a teacher, but for an opportunity to keep their dreams alive. (KNS)