Opinion | Shahid Altaf: A Beacon of Hope from Army Goodwill Schools

Inspiring Tales of Transformation: How Army Goodwill Schools Uplifted Rural and Underprivileged Children in Kashmir.

It is not just a belief but a proven fact that education plays a key role in transforming the dynamics of any society, community, or population. While every child is born with eyes, it is education that truly opens them, providing the vision to see the world in all its possibilities. In Kashmir, the education system has faced numerous challenges, from the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits to the violence, and the education sector was the worst hit and primary target under which many schools were set ablaze and students radicalized.
These significant blows not only left the underprivileged educationally disadvantaged but also pushed the sons and daughters of the poor to the fringes of despair, unable to afford prestigious schools elsewhere in the country. With the departure of the Kashmiri Pandits, who were predominantly school and college teachers, government educational institutions became nearly defunct, and the concept of private schools was virtually non-existent, particularly in rural areas. Amidst these challenging times, a beacon of hope and a source of encouragement emerged for the children of poor Kashmiris with the establishment of Army Goodwill Schools in the late 90s.
In the enchanting surroundings of north Kashmir, two decades ago, a boy named Shahid Altaf was born into a poor family. Coming from a modest background, Shahid, like many other Kashmiri children, lacked the privilege to attend prestigious schools. Driven by high zeal and ambition, Shahid took the entrance exam for a nearby Army Goodwill School in the Nowgam border area. At the Army Goodwill School, Shahid was greeted by excellent infrastructure, experienced teachers, and a supportive learning environment, all for a nominal fee of around 200 rupees per month.

The school not only nurtured his academic abilities but also took care of his overall development. After completing his middle school education (8th standard), Shahid aspired to join the prestigious residential Army Goodwill Public School (AGPS) in Pahalgam. He successfully cleared the entrance exam for AGPS Pahalgam, but his family faced a significant financial challenge, the school’s annual fees, including hostel expenses. In 2017, just when Shahid’s hopes of studying at one of the valley’s renowned schools were about to fade, a lifeline appeared. The Army unit of his previous school, Army Goodwill School Nowgam, came forward and offered him sponsorship under Operation Sadhbhavna. This support not only renewed Shahid’s dreams but also underscored the impactful role of the Army Goodwill Schools in transforming the lives of Kashmiri children.
For Shahid, AGPS was a nurturing environment that facilitated his growth. This generous support from the Indian Army further elevated his aspirations. In a candid conversation, Shahid shared that entering AGPS Pahalgam was a major breakthrough in his life. It was here that he matured, learned to tackle life’s challenges, understood the way of living, and grasped the true meaning of education, which for him was the holistic development he experienced at AGPS Pahalgam. He achieved an impressive 90% in his matriculation examination in 2019 and 91% in the 12th medical standard.
Shahid appeared for NEET 2023, scoring 538 marks, and secured admission in the Bachelor of Dentistry (BDS) program at Indira Gandhi Government Dental College Jammu. However, driven by even bigger ambitions, he decided to reappear for NEET in 2024. This time, he is expecting more than 640 marks, which would likely secure him a seat in an MBBS course. Reflecting on his journey, Shahid credits the two Army-aided schools for transforming his life. “It is those two Army-aided schools that changed my life upside down,” he says. “I received a quality education, which was otherwise impossible considering my financial state at home”, he added.

I wish Shahid the best of luck with this year’s NEET results and hope to see him secure a place in a government medical college. Shahid Altaf’s story is just one among many students who, once disheartened by their financial circumstances, found renewed hope through the Indian Army’s inspiring concept of Army Goodwill Schools. There are many more stories like Shahid’s waiting to be unpacked and brought into the spotlight. The entire Kashmir valley owes a debt of gratitude to the Indian Army for establishing Army Goodwill Schools, enabling children from poor families to exercise their right to dream.
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