Public resentment is escalating in the Kafligair tehsil region of Bageshwar district over the long-pending demand for a degree college. Social activists and local residents have issued a firm warning to the administration, stating that they will launch a widespread agitation if the state government fails to release the official government order establishing the college by September 7, 2026. Students in the region currently face immense hardships due to the complete lack of higher education infrastructure in their immediate vicinity, forcing them to travel long distances daily or drop out altogether.
Daily Travel of 30 to 40 Kilometers for Higher Studies
The Kafligair tehsil encompasses around 13 to 14 gram panchayats, housing a substantial population of young students. While most young residents complete their intermediate education from nearby local schools, pursuing undergraduate degree courses presents a major challenge. In the absence of a degree college within the region, students are compelled to travel to Bageshwar, located approximately 30 kilometers away, or Almora, which is around 40 kilometers distance from Kafligair. Commuting between 30 and 40 kilometers daily across hilly terrain poses a severe physical and financial strain on young learners.
Financial Strain Forces Girls to Quit After 12th Grade
Economic constraints faced by rural families further compound the educational crisis. Sending children to nearby cities for higher education involves substantial expenses related to house rental, food, and daily transportation, which many low-income households cannot afford. Consequently, numerous students are forced to discontinue their studies after the 12th grade. Local residents highlight that female students from rural backgrounds suffer the most, as financial limitations and distance force parents to halt their daughters higher education. Establishing a local degree college would enable these young women to continue their academic pursuits safely from home.
Government Order Delayed Despite Land Registration
The prolonged administrative inertia has fueled growing indignation among the public and local representatives. Jyeshtha Pramukh Manish Kumar pointed out that generous land donors from the community have already completed the formal legal registry of their land in the name of the proposed college. Despite the availability of land and previous assurances from officials regarding strict timelines, the government has failed to issue the essential administrative order. Residents emphasize that multiple deadlines set in the past have lapsed without any tangible progress on the ground.
September 7 Deadline and Administrative Response
Social worker Thakur Singh reiterated that the community is prepared to step up its struggle for the educational future of the local youth. A formal memorandum submitted to the district administration explicitly states that an indefinite protest will begin if the government order is not issued by September 7, 2026. Responding to the concerns, District Magistrate Apoorva Pandey assured the community that administrative efforts are underway to support the residents and that discussions will be conducted with higher authorities in the state government to expedite the matter.
