Our Story
From Displacement to Opportunity
Thirty-five years ago, Kashmiri Pandits were forced to leave their homes in the Kashmir Valley due to terrorism. The Government of India subsequently built a township at Jagati, near Jammu, which today houses about 4,000 families.
At the heart of the township stood Government Middle School Jagati. By 2016, the school had teachers but few students. Its building was in poor condition, without reliable water, electricity or functional toilets. For a community with a deep tradition of education, the condition of its neighbourhood Government school was a serious concern.
This is the story of its transformation.
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1990 - Displacement from the Kashmir Valley
Thousands of Kashmiri Pandit families leave their homes. -
2011 - Jagati Township
The Government establishes the township near Jammu. -
2016 - A New Partnership
Government and philanthropy come together to revitalise Government Middle School Jagati. -
2016 - 2020 - Rebuilding the School
Infrastructure, sanitation, learning facilities and the school environment are progressively improved. -
Today - Beyond Infrastructure
Pre-school education, the Government school and after-school support form a broader learning continuum.
“The building was only the beginning.”
A Different Approach
The conventional response to a struggling Government school is often to establish another private or charitable school nearby. Children who can move, move. Enrolment in the Government school falls further, and the public institution becomes progressively weaker.
Jagati chose a different path.
Instead of creating a parallel school, the Aman Satya Kachroo Trust entered into a partnership with the Government of Jammu & Kashmir to strengthen the existing Government school.
Government provides the institution, teachers and continuity. Philanthropy brings additional resources, specialist expertise and innovation. Other organisations can contribute their particular strengths—as Children’s Hope India does through early-childhood education.
The objective is not to replace public education. It is to make the public school work better.
The transformation continues.
What began with rebuilding a school is gradually developing into a broader model of education, family support and community participation.