Srinagar, Mar 30 (KNO): Pupil Teacher Ratio (PTR) in schools set up under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) have fluctuated widely owing to demographic shifts and migration patterns—disrupting the norms and guidelines of the erstwhile scheme.
According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the government informed the Legislative Assembly that the Primary and Middle Schools established under the SSA were opened in accordance with the prescribed distance norms and guidelines with the objective of ensuring universal access to elementary education, particularly in remote and underserved areas.
The minister in-charge replied this to the query as to whether it is a fact that during the implementation of SSA, a large number of primary and middle schools were opened without proper rationalization resulting in a lot of variation in the student-teacher ratio particularly in Uri constituency.
“However, variations in the student-teacher ratio arise from time to time due to demographic changes, migration of population, and fluctuations in student enrolment,” the government informed the house.
However, the government also clarified that the School Education Department periodically reviews such situations and takes appropriate measures, including rationalization of staff and resources, to maintain a balanced student-teacher ratio in schools.
“The department periodically reviews the student-teacher ratio in schools,” the government said.
About the PTR in Uri constituency, the government informed the house that, “As per available records, schools in the district, including Uri constituency, are presently functioning with an approximate student-teacher ratio of 1:17 at Primary level and 1:20 at Upper Primary level, which is broadly within the prescribed norms.”
“The position is monitored from time to time and necessary adjustments are made, wherever required, in accordance with established guidelines,” the government said.
It also said that the schools in the district, including in Uri constituency are presently functioning with an approximate student-teacher ratio of 1:17 at the Primary level and 1:20 at the Upper Primary level, which are broadly within the prescribed norms.
“The department periodically reviews such situations and takes appropriate measures, including rationalization of staff and resources, to maintain a balanced student-teacher ratio in schools,” the government said—(KNO)