On a cold morning in Kupwara, a classroom comes alive with the ordinary sounds of childhood—children laughing, teachers calling for attention, notebooks opening and lessons beginning. At first glance, it is simply a school day. Yet in many remote parts of Jammu and Kashmir, the opportunity to attend such a school represents something much bigger: access to a better future.
For more than two decades, the Indian Army has supported education in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh through Operation Sadbhavana. A major part of this initiative is the network of Army Goodwill Schools (AGS), created to provide quality and affordable education, particularly in remote, border and underserved areas.
The journey began in the late 1990s with just a few primary schools. Over the years, the initiative expanded significantly. Under Headquarters Northern Command, more than 45 Army Goodwill Schools have been established across Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. Around 17,000 students, including approximately 43 per cent girls, are currently studying in these institutions, while nearly 1,000 staff members are employed in the schools. The importance of these schools goes beyond numbers. In mountainous and border areas, distance, harsh weather, difficult roads and, at times, security concerns can make education difficult to access. For families living in such circumstances, having a good school closer to home can make a lasting difference.
The schools generally follow CBSE or Jammu and Kashmir Board curricula and use NCERT-based learning. Many offer modern classrooms, laboratories, computer facilities, auditoriums and opportunities in sports and cultural activities. Students are also encouraged to participate in NCC, scouts, public speaking, arts and other activities that help build confidence and discipline.
Several schools in North Kashmir illustrate this effort. The Army Goodwill School at Krusan, founded in 2006, provides education up to Class 10 and focuses on academics as well as personality development. The school at Budkot near Handwara, established in 2004, has a science laboratory and auditorium and has also taken steps towards becoming a plastic-free school. At Mazbug in Sopore, the school has developed as a model learning centre, while the AGS at Chandigam in Lolab extends education up to Class 12 and is known for its infrastructure and cultural exposure. Perhaps the most important feature of these schools is the role played by teachers. Many are local civilians who understand the language, culture and everyday challenges of the communities they serve.
The initiative is also evolving with changing educational needs. The focus is increasingly on technology-enabled and National Education Policy-aligned education, with special attention to socio-economically disadvantaged groups, women and persons with disabilities.
The motto of Army Goodwill Schools—“Learn, Grow, Succeed”—captures their wider purpose. Education is not only about passing examinations. It is about developing confidence, responsibility, creativity and the ability to participate positively in society.
Ultimately, the story of Army Goodwill Schools is a story about opportunity. In places where geography and circumstances have often limited choices, a classroom can become a bridge to a wider world. When a child walks through the school gate with a book in hand and a dream in mind, the real meaning of “Education for All” begins to take shape.
