Belying the tall claims by education department of providing adequate staff in schools, the department is yet to finalize the selection process of 10+2 contractual lecturers in the higher secondary schools having dearth of permanent staff.
The entrance test of eligible aspirants was held on March 2 by the directorate of school education (DSEK). However, the selection list has been delayed for unknown reasons.
Officials in the department said the delay in recruitment of contractual 10+2 lecturers has taken a toll on the academics as most of the higher secondary schools are without permanent lecturer faculty.
“Higher secondary schools re-opened on February 23 after winter break but the students are without teachers. It speaks volumes about non-seriousness of government to provide quality education in government schools,” an official said wishing not to be named.
It may be recalled that the education minister Syed Muhammad Altaf Bukhari informed the Legislative Assembly (LA) during the budget session that 1225 posts of lecturers were vacant in school education department in Kashmir division.
“But their requirement is fulfilled by recruitment of contractual and academic arrangement teachers for one academic session,” the minister had said.
Contrary to the announcement of the education minister, the students have not attended any classes after schools reopened post two month long winter vacations.
“Most of the higher secondary schools have only a couple of permanent faculty members. In some higher secondary schools there is not even a single permanent faculty member and students find no purpose in attending the schools,” an official said. Director school education Kashmir G N Itoo said the selection process is in final stage and will be completed this week.