Dismal performance of govt schools
Of the 68 schools, 27 have given zero pass percentage while the rest have a pass percentage below 20.
Following their poor performance in the recently declared 10th class results, Minister for Education convened a meeting with heads of Government schools to review the ailments of the department in Kashmir division.
Heads of around 68 schools, which had below 20 percent results, were called by the Minister to explain their position regarding the dismal performance.
Of the 68 schools, 27 have given zero pass percentage while the rest have a pass percentage below 20.
During the 8-hour long ‘open discussion’ with Education Minister, the heads of the institutions defended the poor performance of their schools citing reasons after which the Minister issued on spot orders to cure the ‘disease’ and urged the teacher community to bring back the glory to their profession.
Poor infrastructure, lack of subject specific teachers in schools and unofficial deputations of teachers were stated as the reasons for the poor performance of the schools in valley.
In the meeting, the Minister was informed that some institutions were headless for past many years while as some heads of the schools openly admitted that presence of ‘unchecked’ surplus staff in the schools was the reason of poor performance.
Government Higher Secondary School Badugam, Gurez, which had a pass percentage of 19.44 in 10th class results, is headless since 2011. As per the official reports, presented by one of the lecturers of this school, three teachers are posted in the institution to teach around 244 students. Around 11 posts including, 6 lecturers and 5 master grade posts are vacant in the institution.
“Recently our economics lecturer was transferred without any substitution,” the school representative submitted to the Minister.
Surprised with the situation, the minister issued on-spot orders for appointment of Principal for the said school.
Meanwhile, headmaster of Boys High School Ompora, Budgam said the extra staff in the school was disturbing the academic atmosphere.
The school has staff strength of 17 teachers for 47 students, including 42 in 9th and 10th classes. “Besides surplus teaching staff we have both, physical teacher and physical master in our school. Also some five to six people are working in non teaching section. This needs to be checked,” the headmaster of the school said.
In the meeting the school heads submitted before the Minister that most of the schools including the upgraded RMSA schools, have dearth of subject specific teachers particularly mathematics.
Regarding the reviving of Village Education Committees (VECs), the Minister said no CEO will draw his salary before ensuring the revival of these committees in their respective areas.
The Minister asked the Government school teachers to put in extra efforts to ensure better results or else they “will be asked to sit at home.”
“The heads of the schools having below 20 percent results will be under scanner. I won’t suspend anyone but will directly send a letter with a three month salary to the concerned, who will be asked to stop serving in the department, if the results didn’t improve,” the minister said.
Meanwhile, Secretary School Education department, Shalin Kabra directed the school headmasters not to bar any student from taking annual exams on the basis of weak performance in golden test.
Director School Education Kashmir, Director RMSA, Joint Director School Education Kashmir, CEOs of Kashmir Division, Headmasters and other officers were also present in the meeting.
