Avinash Azad
In a startling revelation, the government has confirmed the closure of a staggering 4,358 schools across Jammu and Kashmir under the rationalization scheme. According to official data shared in response to a query by MLA, Jasrota constituency, Kathua, Rajiv Jasrotia, 1,274 schools were shut down in the Jammu division, while an even higher 3,084 schools were closed in the Kashmir division.
The government cited specific criteria for these closures, including proximity to other schools, lack of infrastructure, and low or zero student enrollment. Regarding the placement of surplus teachers from these closed schools, the government stated, “Surplus teachers are deployed and rationalized based on the actual needs of the area, zone, or district.”
Teacher Recruitment Frozen for Five Years
In a concerning admission, the government revealed that all vacancies for Teachers in the Jammu division have been frozen since 2018 due to the State Administrative Council (SAC) decision (No. 166/22/2018, dated 07.12.2018), leaving no room for fresh recruitments over the past five years.
The teacher shortage is most pronounced in the following districts of Jammu division:
– Jammu: 81 vacancies (Teachers and Masters)
– Samba: 66
– Kathua: 217
– Reasi: 223
– Udhampur: 118
– Doda: 264
– Kishtwar: 101
– Ramban: 234
– Rajouri: 139
– Poonch: 222
Overall, the Jammu division faces 1,665 vacancies for Teachers and Masters. Additionally, there are 2,218 vacant posts for Lecturers and 402 for Headmasters across the region. The district-wise breakdown of Lecturer and Headmaster vacancies is as follows:
– Jammu: 195 (Lecturers), 58 (Headmasters)
– Samba: 78, 12
– Kathua: 280, 51
– Reasi: 235, 38
– Udhampur: 253, 49
– Doda: 365, 42
– Kishtwar: 157, 28
– Ramban: 163, 25
– Rajouri: 331, 56
– Poonch: 181, 43
Additionally, 40 Principal posts remain unfilled in Jammu division:
– Jammu: 4
– Samba: 2
– Kathua: 3
– Reasi: 7
– Udhampur: 3
– Doda: 8
– Kishtwar: 3
– Ramban: 4
– Rajouri: 2
– Poonch: 4
Kashmir Division Faces Similar Crisis
The Kashmir division is grappling with a parallel crisis, with 1,671 vacancies for Teachers and Masters. District-wise data reveals critical gaps in educational staffing:
– Anantnag: 319 vacancies (Teachers and Masters)
– Bandipora: 137
– Baramulla: 154
– Budgam: 185
– Ganderbal: 80
– Kulgam: 193
– Kupwara: 267
– Pulwama: 158
– Shopian: 104
– Srinagar: 74
Moreover, 2,257 vacancies exist for Lecturers and Headmasters in the Kashmir division, with the following district-wise figures:
– Anantnag: 376 (Lecturers), 59 (Headmasters)
– Bandipora: 160, 18
– Baramulla: 333, 47
– Budgam: 163, 30
– Ganderbal: 79, 19
– Kulgam: 131, 24
– Kupwara: 390, 39
– Pulwama: 180, 24
– Shopian: 60, 22
– Srinagar: 85, 18
Furthermore, 58 Principal posts remain unoccupied across Kashmir division:
– Anantnag: 12
– Bandipora: 4
– Baramulla: 10
– Budgam: 8
– Ganderbal: 2
– Kulgam: 2
– Kupwara: 15
– Pulwama: 2
– Shopian: 2
– Srinagar: 1
Degree Verification Process Raises Further Concerns
Adding to the turmoil, the government disclosed that the verification process for degrees obtained by teaching staff through distance or online education remains incomplete. Under a one-time exemption policy established via Government Order No. 188-JK(Edu) of 2024 (dated 15.03.2024), committees at the Directorate level are tasked with validating these qualifications.
In the Jammu division, 7,721 files were examined, of which 4,617 were verified and recommended for exemption. However, 3,104 cases were flagged due to document deficiencies. Similarly, in the Kashmir division, 5,750 files were reviewed, with 4,253 cleared and 1,497 facing documentation issues.
Uncertain Future for Education in J&K The mass closure of schools combined with the long-standing freeze on teacher recruitment paints a grim picture for the education sector in Jammu and Kashmir. Stakeholders and concerned citizens are raising urgent questions about the state’s ability to provide quality education, especially in rural and underprivileged areas. With thousands of teaching posts lying vacant and no clear timeline for fresh recruitments, the future of students across the Union Territory hangs in the balance.
