I teach in a school where all enrolled students belong to the Scheduled Tribe community. 

Over time, I have realised something that often gets lost in discussions about educational disadvantage: these children have the ability, curiosity and ambition to succeed. Their circumstances, however, can make the road to learning considerably harder.

A child may enter a classroom with the same curiosity as any other student, but the opportunities waiting outside that classroom can be very different. 

Geography, household finances, limited educational support at home and inadequate school facilities all influence how much a child learns. 

We often see school admissions as a sign of progress, but pay less attention to whether children are actually learning once they enter the classroom.

Scheduled Tribe students in remote parts of Jammu and Kashmir need good teaching, proper support and equal opportunities to pursue their ambitions.

The Forgotten Architect of Tribal Rights in Jammu and Kashmir

Letter to Editor: Why Kashmir Must Put Tribal Girls at the Center of Change

My experience as a teacher has shown me that learning difficulties are often mistaken for a lack of ability. Some students struggle with basic reading, writing and numeracy. Many depend almost entirely on their teachers for academic guidance because their parents have limited formal education or face economic pressures that leave little time for school-related involvement.

These circumstances call for greater attention from schools. 

A student who struggles with reading needs patient instruction and individual support, rather than another examination that records poor performance. Regular attendance, continuous assessment and timely remedial........

© Kashmir Observer