Srinagar, Sep 24 (KNO): At least 30 percent teaching posts are lying vacant in government schools across the Kupwara constituency.
The official figures reveal that nearly 57 percent lecturer posts in Kupwara constituency, 21 percent teacher and nearly 42 percent masters posts are lying vacant.
According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the minister in-charge in a question tabled by MLA Mir Mohammad Fayaz in Legislative Assembly said that 403 lecturer, teacher and masters posts have been sanctioned for the Kupwara constituency out of which only 280 are in position.
The official figures said that out of 77 sanctioned posts for Lecturers, 44 posts remain vacant—a vacancy rate exceeding 57%.
It also said that 252 posts for teachers have been sanctioned out of which only 204 are in position.
In case of masters posts, the government said out of 74 sanctioned posts, 43 remain vacant.
In Mathematics and English both have 5 vacant posts out of 6 and 7 sanctioned posts respectively.
Likewise, Physics is missing 4 out of 7 sanctioned lecturers, while Urdu is missing 4 out of 6.
On infrastructure ownership, the government said that out of the total operating schools in Kupwara constituency, 200 schools operate from Government-owned buildings, 2 schools operate from rented facilities and 4 schools function in rent-free premises.
The government further said, “Keeping in view the limited access at Senior Secondary level, the School Education Department is contemplating to formulate a proposal for up-gradation of High Schools having classes (1-10th) mainly falling in rural and far-flung areas, which shall have great impact on ground, for their development as Higher Secondary Schools (K-12 schools).”
It also said that at present, there was no immediate proposal with the School Education Department for up-gradation of Primary Schools to Middle Schools and Middle Schools to High Schools.
“All the demands shall be examined for consideration in a phased manner, in accordance with availability of budgetary provision and other norms in vogue,” the government said—(KNO)