Srinagar, July 5 -- Education in Kashmir has always carried the weight of expectation.

For decades, families have looked to books and degrees as their path to dignity and security. But when learning turns into a product sold in shiny packages, the dream begins to cost more than most can afford.

Today, Kashmir's coaching centres are estimated to be worth several hundred crores. They cover everything from medical and engineering entrances to civil services and even school-level tutoring.

Every step of a child's academic journey has been turned into a business opportunity. Students move through long hours of memorization, expensive study guides, and endless tests.

The question is no longer what they are learning, but how much they are pa...