112 more schools with poor pupil-teacher ratio closed

The state government has ordered closure of 112 government schools in the Valley where the enrolment of students is minimum. With this the number of schools which have been closed by the state government so far has reached 167.

Director, Education Department, Kashmir, Showkat Beigh said the student-teacher ratio was not as per standard in these schools based in Srinagar and other districts of Kashmir.

Beigh said the students of such schools have been directed to shift to the nearest school whereas the teachers would be transferred to such schools where the roll of students was high.

“We have observed that the pupil-teacher ratio in our schools is not on par with the national average. Education Minister Naeem Akhter has made it clear that he wants uniform pupil-teacher ratio in schools all over the state,” the Director, Education, Kashmir, told .

He said some schools had just six to seven students with the same number of teachers.

“This trend has continued for long and we wish to reverse the same,” he added.

However, teachers who are slated to be transferred due to the move aren’t happy with the decision.

“It is all right if the state government wants to overhaul the education sector. However, all stakeholders, including teachers, students and their parents, should be consulted before making such abrupt decisions. We are being transferred to far-off places which was previously against the service rules,” an agitated teacher said.