Srinagar, Dec. 5 -- In the classrooms of Kashmir, where the laughter of young children mixes with the quiet determination of teachers, there is another presence that often goes unnoticed-yet her contribution is indispensable. She is the AAYA. In the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) spaces of our Valley's schools, the AAYA is the first to arrive and the last to leave, ensuring each classroom is safe, clean and emotionally nurturing for the youngest learners. Her work forms a silent foundation upon which the learning journey of thousands of Kashmiri children begins.

Despite this central role, AAYAs in Kashmir remain among the least acknowledged members of the school community. Their struggles are shaped not only by the structure o...