‘Near Zero’ academic work despite 11 teachers for 29 students

Excelsior Correspondent

Srinagar, Aug 30:  Despite Government claims of rationalizing Pupil-Teacher Ratio (PTR), a middle-school in North Kashmir’s Baramulla district has 11 teachers for 29 students.
Government Middle School Khanpora, which is located on the banks of River Jhelum, has a total roll of 29 students while 11 teachers are posted there. The irony is that even as there are 11 teachers but the academic work is “near to zero”.
It was found that out of 11, three female teachers are on “maternity leave” while others skip the school at their will. The students, who spoke to Excelsior, said that their teachers – on an average – give only two classes to them per day.
And, out of these 11 teachers, the five are those who belong to Khanpora locality of the Baramulla Town. It was learnt that these five have not been transferred during the past more than five years. “They have strong political backing and that is why they are here during the past quite long time,” locals said.
The situation of PTR can be gauged by the fact that only a single student is enrolled in second primary. He told Excelsior: “I often get scared while sitting alone in the classroom.”
The school also lacks basic infrastructure and the building where it is located is in shambles. The rooftop of one of the classrooms was recently damaged due to windstorm and since then it has not been covered.
Admitting the faults, the incharge Zonal Eucation Officer (ZEO) Mehraj-ud-Din Phoopu told Excelsior that the rationalization and transfers would take place shortly. “It is right that we have to do rationalization in our schools as per PTR. I have recently taken over. Unfortunately, there is no established clerk in the Zone and has been transferred. But, in coming days we will finalize the rationalization and transfers and provide competent teachers to students as per PTR.”
He blamed the parents of the wards for low roll of the students and urged them to send their children to schools.  Although there is enrollment but children don’t attend schools and parents must take some steps so that they ensure the attendance of their pupils. In this way, their wards would set their future in right dimension,” he added.
He also acknowledged that the there is lack of infrastructure in the school and is not as per standards. The senior official said that they have several times approached higher ups and are optimistic about the change. “God willing, after rationalization, we will also take steps for better infrastructure,” he said.
On being asked about the absence of teachers on the pretext of medical leaves, he said that the female teachers have right to take the leave on medical grounds. But, when asked that some other teachers are also on leave, he admitted that the teachers should not get “on or off leave”.
The ZEO, however, denied that there is no proper attendance of teachers in the school and added: “We recently conducted inspection of the school and checked the attendance.”

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