Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 7: “With large scale transfers, attachments and modifications of teaching staff being made in Education Deptt in violation of all norms and prescribed procedures, the Education sector has reached on the verge of breakdown in J&K. Not only has the much trumpeted transfer policy been blown into smithereens in the matter of transfers but majority of the rural, remote area schools have been literally rendered staff-less and consequently defunct,” NPP chairman Harsh Dev Singh said.
While interacting with people at Chenani today, Singh said all-pervasive culture of nepotism, favouritism and corruption has engulfed this significant deptt as well resulting in unrest amongst the teaching community as well as the general masses particularly in far-flung areas. Not only the irregular transfers and postings have antagonized the affected sections but large-scale attachments of teachers and even RETs in brazen defiance of stipulated norms has sparked massive outrage against the reckless officers who seen to be on a transfer spree.
Strange are the ways of the present Govt, said Singh, while referring to the posting of IFS Officer BK Singh as the Administration Secretary of Education Deptt. “An officer who has hardly any concept of Education sector, about the State or Central schemes pertaining to education and has all along remained in Forest Deptt has been most astonishingly made the administrative head of the Education Deptt. And the result is obvious. The gradual deterioration in this crucial sector is being clearly noticed,” Singh alleged.
“No new schools are being opened. None being upgraded despite public outcries in the far off areas where people have to tread long distances to pursue high and higher secondary level education. Besides, the Model schools, Girls Hostels and other central schemes for poor and underprivileged children have failed to take off. Only recently the CAG report has indicted the Education Deptt for culpable negligence in utilizing RMSA funds and sought fixation of responsibility for lapse of Rs 44.13 crore meant for students welfare schemes”, claimed the former Education Minister.
Not only had the Model School scheme collapsed in J&K, but the RMSA, SMAGRA, RUSA and other Centrally sponsored schools in Education sector too had proved a flop show. The condition of schools at Elementary, Middle, High and Higher Secondary level was pathetic with majority of schools suffering from infrastructure related problems and acute staff deficiency. The RMSA subject specific teachers appointed for the High Schools had been denied salary for the last 2 years, he regretted.
Follow our WhatsApp channel