Srinagar, Mar 1: The Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) has sought an explanation from Principal Boys Higher Secondary School (BHSS) Kupwara for issuing transfer orders of teachers by taking “undue advantage” of resource sharing.
The action was taken after the Principal BHSS Kupwara who is also designated as the Cluster head, issued transfer orders of seven Masters and teachers in his cluster.
Following this, the DSEK issued an order and kept the transfer orders in abeyance and sought an explanation from the Cluster Head noting that the proposal regarding rationalisation of academic staff in schools was presently under process.
“As per the guidelines, the Cluster was to be managed by preparing a common time table within the cluster and no such transfer orders were to be issued by the Cluster Heads. The action on the part of the Cluster Head (Principal BHSS Kupwara) clearly indicates that he is issuing transfer orders taking undue advantage of resource sharing,” the DSEK order reads.
“In view of the above, the transfer order issued by Principal BHSS Kupwara vide No. BHSSK/24/1443 dated February 28 of 2024 is kept in abeyance and the concerned Cluster Head (Principal) is directed to explain the reasons for issuing such orders,” the order reads.
As per the order, the Chief Education Officer (CEO) Kupwara has been instructed to “properly” supervise the clusters falling within his jurisdiction.
Notably, the School Education Department (SED) in December 2022 formulated School Complexes across J&K UT for “efficient resourcing”, while taking a cue from the 50-year-old Kothari Commission Report (1964-66) to boost school governance.
The Complex School system was formulated in terms of Part-I, Chapter 7 of National Education Policy (NEP)- 2020 which mentions “efficient resourcing and effective governance through School Complexes/Clusters” for effective sharing of resources.
Under the initiative, the Joint Director School Education Department of the concerned districts were empowered for overall working of the School Complexes while the Principal of Higher Secondary School was designated as the head of the school complex (Cluster) and will be accountable for overall academic activities of the schools in the complexes. The complex (Cluster) heads were competent to deploy the teachers within the Clusters.
Recently, the Director School Education Kashmir (DSEK), Tasaduq Hussain Mir visited various districts in north and south Kashmir districts and convened a meeting to review the implementation of the Cluster system of schools.
“We are providing training to the Cluster Heads about the proper implementation of the Cluster system of schools so that we can reap the desired results,” DSEK told Greater Kashmir.
Meanwhile, a top official told Greater Kashmir that recently, the Administrative Secretary SED during his introductory meeting with the officers laid stress on proper implementation of the Cluster system of schools and to ensure adequate teaching staff in schools from Primary to Higher Secondary level.
“But some cluster heads are defeating the purpose of the new initiative which is otherwise aimed at proper resource sharing in schools and providing adequate teaching staff in schools,” the official said.
Meanwhile on Friday, the Administrative Secretary SED Piyush Singla flagged off a 46-day long campaign to strengthen the Cluster System of schools in J&K.
As per the order issued in this regard, Singla directed that a Special Campaign for one and a half months from March 1 to April 15 be carried out to strengthen the Cluster system of schools.
“All cluster heads shall hold meetings during this period and minutes shall be issued by each cluster with action taken based on the work charter defined in the original work order. Minutes shall be furnished by the concerned Directorate to the administrative department,” the order reads.