61 high schools, 15 Hr Secondary schools headless in Baramulla

Srinagar, Mar 29: The School Education Department (SED) in Baramulla district is on its knees as the government has left over a dozen Higher Secondary Schools (HSS) and more than 60 high schools headless for the last many months.

As per the official figures, 15 higher secondary schools are without principals, and all these schools are located far from the main town and other accessible areas of the district.

Besides, 61 government high schools are also headless in the district as the government has failed to order the posting of headmasters in these schools.

The charge of headmasters and principals in all these high and higher secondary schools has been given to other equivalent rank official to manage the position as an additional charge.

The official figures were revealed in the J&K Legislative Assembly in response to a question raised by MLA Uri Dr Sajad Shafi.

He asked the government about the details of vacant positions of lecturers, headmasters and principals.

The minister in charge of SED, Sakina Itoo, informed the House that 15 posts of principals and 61 posts of headmasters of high schools were vacant in Baramulla district.

The government further informed that 347 posts of lecturers were also lying vacant in the district.

“The School Education Department has referred 594 vacancies of Lecturers in various disciplines under the direct recruitment quota to the J&K Public Service Commission for selection and recruitment purposes in 27 disciplines,” she informed the House.

“The department has so far received select lists in nine disciplines consisting of 30 candidates. Necessary action for making appointments of these selected candidates has been initiated by the department,” she said.

About the vacancies falling under promotion quota, she said that the department has initiated the action for updating the seniority lists in almost all the disciplines which is being followed by promotion of the eligible incumbents.

“The whole exercise is being conducted in a time‑bound manner,” she informed the House.

Of these vacant positions, four positions of higher secondary school principals and nine posts of headmasters of high schools are lying vacant in Uri constituency.