Almost all the popular governments in the recent past resorted to some populist measures as part of their vote-bank politics. Well, they could create some facilities, lay roads or talk of double or triple shifts of working on projects for which there was no provision in the plan. But creating educational institutions like colleges without faculty is something unimaginable. During the past more than half a decade now the government is utilizing the services of some unemployed educated youth to teach in such colleges. This was a case of pure exploitation as is evident from the fact that none of the contractual teachers could claim any kind of preference over others for recruitment on permanent basis on the strength of his or her having taught his subject in a college. This system was resorted to even in subjects where there was no sanctioned post of teachers. Mercifully the J&K Public Service Commission under the new dispensation has shed lethargy and hastened the recruitment process for filling the vacancies referred to it over the years. The commission has in fact set an example for other recruiting agencies of the government in recruiting qualified people to public positions in a transparent manner that too at a desirable pace as was evident from the declaration of results of tests/ interviews within forty eight to seventy two hours. This included a sizeable number of college teachers and in coming month it is expected that all the vacancies of college teachers are filled up. Well if the J&K PSC has done its duty, what about the higher education ministry’s role in the filling up of the vacancies of Principals? It is disgusting to note that as many as twelve colleges across the Kashmir Valley are headless. Most of these colleges are in the stages of their infancy and a massive effort is required to build-up their infrastructure. How can that happen when these are left leaderless. How can students of such colleges be expected to complete their course work in time when there is nobody to lead the institution and distribute work among the faculty or take care of the academics. It is good that Jammu colleges do not suffer from such a situation. Why should it happen with Kashmir only? There is no convincing reply to the question. Isn’t it ridiculous to see the government adopting two sets of policies for the two parts of the state? Retirement is a normal thing to happen in all public services but that is no excuse for the government to leave such important posts vacant and turn these institutions worthless. A retirement has to be followed by a promotion of the most eligible to the post. That should be a hassle-free and an uninterrupted process. Keeping in view the importance of an educational institute it has to have the priority attention of the government so that the career of students is not jeopardized. The Chief Minister needs to evaluate different ministries for their working and pull up the officers and even his colleagues in the council of ministers who fail to deliver. Be it School education or higher education, these are all important departments concerning the future of our students and society. There are no two opinions about the importance of the education. It has to be a priority with the public as well as the government. You can’t leave twelve colleges headless and give these to the charge of Principals whose hands are already full. This obviously means not only spoiling the headless institutions but also those whose heads are asked to look after these. And that is something very serious. Over the past two decades education in Kashmir Division has been in doldrums and has suffered terribly. It was expected that the government will leave no stone unturned to put the derailed system back on rails. Instead it is seen showing indifference.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 28 Mar 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 28 Mar 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 29 Mar 2010 00:00:00 IST