A STUDY OF EDUCATIONAL STATUS OF GUJJAR CHILDREN OF SOUTH KASHMIR

Gujjars are semi-nomadic tribes of Jammu and Kashmir who have been given Scheduled Tribe (ST) status due to their migratory and backward nature. The Gujjars are primarily nomads who move from plains to the higher altitudes with their cattles as part of their annual season journeys with their livestock. The literacy rate among the Gujjars community is low in comparison to other twelve scheduled tribe communities in the state. The present paper stresses on the status of education among the semi-nomadic Gujjar children in South Kashmir. The study aims to find out the reasons behind educational backwardness among Gujjar tribes. It also seeks to find out the measures taken by the Jammu and Kashmir government to provide education to Gujjar tribes.