The post of Zonal Education Officer has been lying vacant since over four months, here in Mandi, with the local populace accusing the Education department of being “callous”.
As per details with Greater Kashmir, Principal, Boys HigherSecondary School Mandi, Rashpal Singh, has been given the additional charge ofthe ZEO Mandi post.
Pertinently, Singh is also holding the additional charge ofHigh School Plera and High School Dunugam.
The locals, while ruing the delay in posting an officer,said, “The government is playing with the future of our children. With theeducation sector already lagging behind in our area, the top most post in theEducation department in the zone lies vacant.”
“How will our kids perform better?” they asked.
On being contacted, Chief Education Officer, Poonch, said,”Several officer-rank posts which were lying vacant across the border districthave been filled up in the recent past. Unfortunately, a few among them,including the post of Zonal Education Officer Mandi continues to lie vacant.The government will soon depute officers against all vacant posts.”
“As the post of ZEO Mandi cannot be left completely vacant,we have assigned the Principal Boys Higher Secondary School Mandi theadditional charge till a proper arrangement is put in place,” the CEO said.