Contrary to government claims of streamlining the pupil teacher ratio in schools, most of the government schools in Baramulla district have more teachers than students on roll.
The schools in the district continue to have disproportionate student-teacher ratio even after three years of rationalisation of schools – an exercise carried out by the previous PDP led government to streamline the pupil teacher ratio.
For example, government high school Deewan Bagh in Baramulla town has 80 students on roll and 26 teachers are posted here, including the headmaster. As per norms, the student teacher ratio in a school should be 1:30. However, in this school the ratio here is almost 1:3. Interestingly, the school is at a distance of less than a kilometer from the office of deputy commissioner.
A source in the department said that the teachers, mostly females, posted in this school are all ‘influential’ and are not transferred despite having mature stay in the school. “As per norms, a teacher has to be shifted to other school after two years tenure in any particular school but here the teachers are apparently exempted from these rules and norms,” said an official wishing not to be named.
There are dozens of other government schools in the district with disproportionate student teacher ratio. The choice posting of influential teachers in particular schools as per their convenience has taken a toll on the quality of teaching in schools established in far off areas of the same district.
The student teacher ratio of government middle school Dewan Bagh is also in violation of norms. The school has 55 students on roll and the department has ‘adjusted’ 20 teachers here and the ratio is almost 1:3 (2.75 students per teacher). “These schools are easily accessible so the department has posted all influential teachers here,” the official said, adding that three teachers from this school have been deputed to a residential school.
Another school located in nearby Ushkura area has also turned into a resting place for influential teachers. Fifty-six students are enrolled in this school and 20 teachers are posted here by the department. Almost all the schools located in plain areas near highway are overcrowded with influential teachers. In rural areas, on the other hand, the schools are teacher deficient despite increased enrollment of students.
Chief Education Officer Baramulla, Abdul Ahad said that maximum female teachers posted in these schools are “ailing” and have been adjusted in these schools on health grounds. “These schools are in the town and that is why we have adjusted these ailing female teachers in these schools,” he said.