India, Oct. 10 -- Only 16.6 per cent of Class 3 children in rural Jammu and Kashmir can read a Class 2-level text, while the proportion rises to just 37.7 per cent among Class 5 students, according to the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2024.

The findings highlight persistent gaps in foundational learning across rural Jammu and Kashmir, with more than eight out of every 10 Class 3 children unable to read a text intended for students one grade below them.

Against this backdrop, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday called for an education system that moves beyond examination results and equips children with critical thinking, digital literacy, creativity and practical skills.

Addressing the School Leader of the Year 2026 Sum...