CRCs face delayed salaries and inadequate compensation despite crucial roles in enhancing educational outcomes
In July 2024, the Jammu and Kashmir School Education Department appointed Cluster Resource Coordinators (CRCs) to provide teaching support across higher secondary and high school institutions. This initiative was intended to enhance educational outcomes by allocating resources directly to clusters of schools in need of academic guidance and support. However, despite the critical role CRCs play, they have encountered a troubling lack of support from the department regarding their remuneration.
CRCs are essential in bridging gaps in teaching quality and ensuring that schools across various regions receive adequate support. Their responsibilities include mentoring teachers, implementing educational policies at the grassroots level, and fostering an environment conducive to learning. Despite the high expectations placed upon them, CRCs receive a salary of only Rs 25,000 per month—a fraction of the salary earned by permanent faculty members, who are compensated upwards of Rs 1 lakh per month, complete with benefits and allowances. To compound matters, many CRCs have yet to receive their pay for the session, despite carrying out their responsibilities diligently.
This financial delay places CRCs in a precarious situation. Many of them are the primary earners in their families, with mounting responsibilities and financial liabilities. The fact that Samagra Shiksha—a flagship scheme that funds educational initiatives—has reportedly sent the necessary funds to cover CRC salaries, makes the delay even more baffling. Documentation and CID verification for these employees have already been completed, and yet their remuneration remains stagnant.
The CRCs find themselves trapped in an unfortunate scenario. They continue to fulfill their duties and contribute to the education system, yet face uncertainty regarding their financial stability. The absence of timely pay reflects poorly on the administration’s commitment to supporting those who are directly involved in the implementation of educational reforms on the ground. The question that arises is: Who will speak up for CRCs? Who will address their grievances and ensure their financial security?
Given the funds are available, it is imperative for the department to take prompt action. CRCs, who serve the education sector selflessly, deserve fair treatment and timely compensation. It’s high time the administration prioritizes their well-being alongside that of the students and institutions they support.
As a CRC, it’s disheartening to witness a system where delays in compensation have become commonplace. This oversight impacts not only the lives of CRCs but also threatens the continuity and quality of education. An urgent intervention is needed, so that CRCs can continue to focus on their responsibilities without the additional burden of financial insecurity. It is the hope of every CRC that the administration will listen, rectify these issues, and ensure that education, at every level, remains a respected and rewarding profession in Jammu and Kashmir.
By Dr Aasif Ahmad
aa********@***il.com