Srinagar, July 11: Notwithstanding its claims of working for equitable development of all regions of the state, the National Conference-led coalition government has approved almost double the number of the posts to Jammu region in comparison to Kashmir out of more than 1,300 newly created posts in Education department.
The government had accorded sanction to the creation of 1,339 posts in both teaching and non-teaching categories including Principals, Headmasters, Lectures, Masters, Teachers, Librarians, Laboratory Bearers for the High Schools and Higher Secondary Schools upgraded during 2008 and 2009.
Shockingly, of the sanctioned posts (Govt order No. 420-Edu of 2010 dated April 29, 2010), Jammu has got lion’s share with 844 posts while only 495 have been approved for Kashmir Valley.
The Jammu region has secured 684 posts of the total 749 sanctioned for 10 HSS and 45 HS which were upgraded during 2008.
Of the 320 posts sanctioned for 10 HSS, 288 posts have gone to the nine institutions in five districts of Jammu region—one each in Samba and Udhampur, two each in Kathua and Doda, and three in Reasi. The strength of posts includes nine and 126 posts of Principals and Lecturers respectively. The remaining 153 posts approved for these institutions include those for Librarians/Junior Librarians, Senior Assistants, Account Assistants, Junior Assistant/Typists, Laboratory Bearers, Orderly, Safaiwala, Chowkidar and Gardener.
The remaining 32 posts sanctioned for one HSS in educationally backward Kupwara district include one post of Principal, 14 Lecturer posts besides 17 posts for non-teaching staff.
The Jammu division has again got more than 1/3rd of the 429 posts which were sanctioned for 49 High Schools upgraded from Middle level during 2008.
Of the 429 posts in different categories, 396 posts were approved for 45 HS in seven districts of Jammu region—Jammu, Doda, Kishtwar, Rajouri, Udhampur, Ramban Reasi. These include 36, 108 and 72 posts respectively for Headmasters, Masters and Teachers. The remaining 180 posts include those for non-teaching staff.
The remaining 33 posts--three, nine and six posts respectively for Headmasters, Masters and Teachers--were sanctioned for four upgraded HS in two districts of Kashmir- Kulgam & Budgam. The remaining 15 posts include those for non-teaching staff.
However, the Kashmir Valley has bagged more posts sanctioned for the HSS and HS which were upgraded during 2009.
Nine HSS of the Valley falling in Islamabad, Kulgam and Budgam district have been sanctioned 270 posts including a Principal each for the institutions, and 126 Lecturer posts besides 135 posts for non-teaching staff. While as one HSS in Reasi got sanctioned 30 posts in various categories including one Principal, 14 Lecturers and 15 posts for non-teaching staff.
Out of 290 posts sanctioned for 39 HS upgraded during 2009, 130 posts have gone to 14 institutions in four districts of Jammu including 13 posts for Headmasters, and 39 and 26 posts respectively for Masters and Teachers, and 52 posts for non-teaching staff.
The Kashmir Valley has secured 160 posts for 25 HS in two districts—Islamabad and Budgam. These include 16, 48 and 32 posts respectively for Headmasters, Masters and Teachers besides 64 posts for non-teaching staff. Interestingly of the total staff sanctioned for HS upgraded during 2009 most of them fall in Breng and Charar-i-Sharief constituencies of Islamabad and Budgam districts respectively. Again six HSS upgraded during the same period and for which the staff has been sanctioned fall in Breng constituency. 
Talking to Greater Kashmir, Commissioner/Secretary, School Education, GA peer, said the posts were created on need basis. “The posts are not approved on equal numbers to the three regions. The approval for the posts also depends on date of setting up of the educational institution in any particular area. It is not a process to measure and distribute,” Peer said. “There are three more proposals lying with the Planning department for approval.”
Scores of educational institutions including Middle Schools, HS and HSS were upgraded to next level during the PDP-Congress government. However the institutions were ignored for neither the infrastructure of most of the institutions was upgraded nor government bothered to sanction requisite manpower for imparting quality education to the students. The government had come under sharp criticism with experts accusing it of only changing the name-boards of the institutions.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 11 Jul 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 11 Jul 2010 18:30:00 GMT
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