Bandipora, Jul 25 (KNO): At least 26 government school teachers originally posted in Gurez zone of north Kashmir’s Bandipora district have been working on deployment in other zones of the district for several years, official records reveal.
According to a list compiled by the Zonal Education Office (ZEO) Gurez, accessed by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), these teachers, appointed under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and other categories, continue to remain attached in schools outside their parent zone, some for over eight years. Most of the deployments date back to between 2016 and 2024.
The list shows that the majority of these teachers are posted in Bandipora town, Sumbal, and other plains areas of the district. In some cases, teachers have been working outside Gurez since as early as 2016, while a few were shifted as recently as July 2024.
Sources from the education department said many of these deployments were made through formal orders issued by the Chief Education Office (CEO) Bandipora, often citing administrative grounds such as elections or training. However, several attachments continue without current justification or time-bound reassessment.
The cumulative impact of these long-term deployments is being felt in Gurez, a remote and mountainous valley that faces a shortage of qualified staff in its government schools.
Locals have frequently complained about understaffed institutions and the negative effect on learning outcomes.
They termed this a "clear case of misuse of administrative authority". "The government talks about uplifting remote areas, but here the sanctioned staff is being used to fill urban gaps. Gurez deserves its fair share," said a local.
They said these attachments have turned into permanent postings. And yet, their salaries are drawn from Gurez while they haven’t taught here in years, another local said.
"Our children walk miles to reach school, only to find no math or science teacher available. Those appointed here are enjoying comfortable postings in Bandipora town. It’s unjust." Abdul Rashid Khan, parent of a Class 9 student.
"Why should our children suffer because some teachers have influence? If they are getting salaries from Gurez quota, they must work here, not enjoy the comforts of towns," Ghulam Nabi, another local, said.
An official at ZEO Gurez said the matter has been repeatedly raised with higher authorities, but action remains pending. "Despite having sanctioned posts, schools in Gurez are struggling due to these long-standing attachments," the official, requesting anonymity, said—(KNO)