A School of Slates

Against all odds, one Kashmiri primary school has become a model of what real education can look like.

- Muntashir Kifayat Hussain

It was almost ten in the morning when I reached the school. The sun had warmed the village of Gundi-Khaleel in Narabal zone, Budgam. The school stood at the riverbank of Sukhnag, with its gate open to the sound of water flowing and birds calling across the trees.

As an academic monitor, I've visited many schools, but this one felt different from the moment I stepped into the lawn.

It was a small space, edged with grass, and in the middle, four children were sitting in a circle. They were between four and six years old, completely focused on something.

As we got closer, they noticed us and stood up in perfect rhythm: “Good morning, sir, you are welcome!”

I asked them to introduce themselves. A little girl responded first. “I am Ujma shirrrr,” she said with all the boldness she could gather.

I gently corrected her, thinking she meant Uzma. But she insisted, a little offended, “I am Ujma.”

She held her ground like someone used to being heard. I smiled and backed off. The others introduced themselves: Ayaan Ahmad, Abaan Younis, and Aiman Showkat.

On the ground beside them were four traditional slates: takhti, as we call them. Soil-ink bottles and stick pens sat beside each one.

On the slates, I saw beautiful handwriting: clean, careful strokes. Other students nearby were also working on slates, their focus unshaken. The neatness surprised me.

The Head of the Institution (HOI) soon joined us. I asked about the use of slates, His answer has stayed with me ever since.