MLA Uri flags teacher vacancies in remote schools, Minister assures action

Srinagar, Feb 12: MLA Uri Dr. Sajad Shafi on Thursday raised concern in the Legislative Assembly over vacancies in government schools in his constituency, saying few teachers are willing to serve in the remote area, while Education Minister Sakina Itoo acknowledged the issue and assured corrective measures.

MLA Uri, Dr Sajad Shafi who raised the issue about the vacant positions in schools situated in his constituency.

MLA Uri had asked a question regarding upgradation of the schools in Uri being the hilly and high terrain area besides having limited access and genuine educational needs of people.

The minister for education Sakina Itoo in her reply acknowledged that the schools in Uri have “impressive enrolment” of students despite being a forest terrain and having a scattered population.

“Up gradation of the schools is a continuous and ongoing process while such proposals are examined from time to time strictly in accordance with the prescribed norms and criteria,” the minister informed the House.

She however said there was no immediate proposal with the government for the up-gradation of the existing schools to the next level.

“Moreover, such up-gradation requires the fulfilment of laid-down criteria and feasibility norms, such as distance, feeding schools and top-class enrolment which are prerequisites, “Sakina Itoo informed the House.

She however acknowledged that areas like Uri, owing to their remoteness, difficult terrain and limited access to higher educational institutions, merit special consideration.

“Keeping in view the mass up-gradation and expansion of the educational institutions in J&K, the department is currently focused on the consolidation of infrastructure and the provision of teaching faculty,” Itoo informed the House.

MLA Uri further demanded that Government Girls Higher Secondary School Uri, being the premier institute, not have History and Environmental Science subjects available at 10+2 level.

He also raised the issue of vacant positions lying in Uri constituency saying that 66 posts of lecturers and five posts of Principals were lying vacant in Uri.

The minister in her reply informed the House that the demands will be considered.

“Regarding the introduction of two subjects, I will ask the DSEK to examine the issue and ascertain if there is demand from students for introducing these two subjects,” she said.

MLA Uri further said that teachers posted in Uri were shifted to other areas by the department, following their promotion as master grade, leaving the local schools teacher deficient.

“Nobody from other areas of the district shows his interest to be posted in Uri. Schools in Baramulla can get teachers from several adjoining areas but nobody wants his posting in Uri,” MLA Uri said.

“I request the minister to get the promoted teachers posted back in Uri schools,” he said.

The minister in her reply said that the grievance has already been considered after the MLA demanded that teachers from Uri after their promotion be posted in Uri schools.

“I have issued instructions to the concerned officers to ensure that teachers from Uri, after their promotion, are posted locally,” the education minister said.

“If there is still any further need, we will do it so that the students get benefitted,” she said.