DC assures review of faculty shortage in district schools
SEERAT-Un-NISA
BANDIPORA, Aug 30: Bandipora district is facing a deepening education crisis as 163 lecturer posts across government schools remain vacant, leaving thousands of students without subject teachers in key disciplines. The most glaring gaps include 27 vacancies in Political Science, 19 in Urdu, 16 in Mathematics, 15 in Education, and 12 each in Physics and Economics. The absence of teachers has compelled students to rely heavily on private coaching centers, move to urban areas, or struggle through self-study.
Once revered as the “land of Ilm, Adab and Aab” — denoting its heritage of education, culture, and natural wealth — Bandipora is now witnessing a steep decline in its academic reputation. Despite more than half of the academic year having passed, several higher secondary and high schools remain without adequate staff, resulting in disrupted classes and growing frustration among parents and students.
According to information obtained through an RTI by the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA), the district currently has 18 high schools functioning without headmasters, while 18 of its 21 higher secondary schools have no full-time principals. This leadership vacuum has further weakened the academic environment.
Students in several institutions narrated disturbing experiences of mismanagement. At Government Higher Secondary School Nadihal, the shortage of staff reached such a level that in the absence of an Arabic teacher, a student was reportedly asked to handle the subject. “It has been six months since the Arabic teacher’s post fell vacant. If we go to school, we either end up wasting time in the playground or loitering under the chinar trees,” said Sehrish, a student of the school.
Parents share similar concerns. Nazir Ahmad, a resident, said many families are being forced to borrow money to afford private tuition. “Poor parents cannot bear the burden of heavy coaching fees. The government must intervene before the entire academic year is wasted,” he appealed, urging the Deputy Commissioner, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to step in.
Social activists too have condemned the government’s inaction, pointing out that despite earlier assurances from the Education Minister Sakina Itoo during her district visit, no tangible steps have been taken. “Promises remain confined to papers while students are left unattended in classrooms,” remarked an activist.
Repeated attempts to contact the Chief Education Officer (CEO) Bandipora for clarification went unanswered.
Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Bandipora Indu Kanwal Chib (IAS), when approached, said she would first review the situation with concerned officials before offering detailed comments. “I will take a review from the education authorities to understand the extent of the shortage and steps being taken to address it,” she said.
The prolonged faculty crunch is not only hampering attendance but also posing a severe threat to the academic performance of thousands of students, particularly those from economically weaker backgrounds who cannot afford private coaching.
