Srinagar: The tall claims of the government to overcome the loopholes in school education department notwithstanding, there seems to be no end to the ‘malpractices’ that are being followed in the department.

The educational institutions in rural areas have become victim of official apathy as most of the teaching staff from schools have been accommodated in office of Chief Education Officer (CEO) or Zonal Education Officer (ZEO). Notably, some other ‘blue eyed’ teachers are accommodated in District Institute of Education and Training (DIET), Kupwara.

“Most of the schools in rural areas have dearth of teaching faculty which hampers the academic curriculum of the students. Ironically, authorities give deaf ears to it,” a top official said.

He said educational institutions in Kupwara district are proving to be the worst victims of official apathy as the teaching staff is enjoying non-teaching assignments in other offices.

“They have managed their posting in these offices from past many years, however they have been appointed and posted as teachers to impart education to the school children,” the official said.

Scores of Rehbar-e-Taleem teachers, Masters and Lecturers are enjoying these postings while as schools continue to crave for teaching staff, said the official.

These teachers are staying idle for the entire day even when the department needs their services in schools, the official added.

In Kupwara district most of the schools are teacher deficient however, the authorities are least bothered to detach the teaching staff from non teaching institutions.

In many Primary schools, government has posted only two teachers against the enrollment of more than 80 to 90 students.

“These schools have vacant posts but authorities prefer to accommodate blue eyed teachers in DIETs or CEO offices,” the sources said.

“In some schools out of the teacher strength of two faculty members, one is deputed for trainings while only a single teacher manages the show in the institutions,” the officials added.

What is ironic is that the ZEO Office Drugmulla in Kupwara is without a ZEO from several months as well and the charge of this office has been given to Principal Higher Secondary School Drugmulla.

Drugmulla higher secondary has an enrollment of over 650 students.

“How’s it possible for one person to run two separate institutions. This is injustice with both, school and ZEO office as well,” said a group of aggrieved teachers.

The case with the lower area schools is no different from those situated in upper areas of the district.

“The authorities have ignored the district and efforts are given to improve academic standards in schools,” the official said.

According to sources, government High School Manigah, Middle School Kashira, Manigah, Primary School Kashira, High School Shrant Khumriyal, High School Gujran Dardpora , Middle School Juktiyal, Badnambal High School have shortage of teaching staff from the past many years and authorities are yet to address the issue.

Director School Education Kashmir (DSEK) G N Itoo said the department will provide adequate teaching staff to all the schools situated in rural areas and will address issues of non availability of other facilities as well.

“We are aware of this issue. We have already issued directions to CEOs and ZEO’s to relieve all the teachers from their offices so that they will be posted in their respective schools to teach the students,” Itoo said.

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