Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Feb 17: As many as 22 out of 27 sanctioned posts of Kashmiri lecturers in Higher Secondary Schools across the Kashmir Division are lying vacant, as per data presented by the J&K Government in the Legislative Assembly.
The disclosure came in response to a question tabled by MLA Mubarik Gul regarding the introduction and implementation of the Kashmiri language in schools.
In his questions, the MLA asked whether the Government has introduced the Kashmiri language as a subject in schools; if so, when it was introduced; and the number of schools where it is presently taught as a full-fledged subject.
He also sought category-wise details of subject-specific staff, including the total sanctioned strength and the present vacancy position as of date, as well as the steps being taken for promotion, curriculum development and implementation of the language in accordance with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
In its reply, the School Education Department stated that the Kashmiri language has been introduced as a subject in schools of the Kashmir Division and is presently taught as a full-fledged subject in 27 Higher Secondary Schools.
It further clarified that the language is not currently taught as a subject in schools of the Jammu Division.
The department revealed that against a total sanctioned strength of 27 Kashmiri lecturer posts in the Kashmir Division, only five lecturers are currently in position, leaving 22 posts vacant.
District-wise figures show that Anantnag has four sanctioned posts, with one in position and three vacant; Bandipora has three sanctioned posts, with one in position and two vacant; Baramulla has two sanctioned posts, both vacant; Budgam has four sanctioned posts, with one in position and three vacant; Ganderbal has two sanctioned posts, both vacant; Kulgam has three sanctioned posts, with one in position and two vacant; Kupwara has five sanctioned posts, all vacant; Pulwama has two sanctioned posts, both vacant; Shopian has one sanctioned post, which is vacant; while Srinagar has one sanctioned post, which is filled.
The Government also detailed the year-wise creation of posts.
As per the details, eleven posts were created before 2009, and ten additional posts were created in 2009 vide Government Order No. 28-EDU of 2009 dated January 13, 2009, taking the total to 21.
In 2018, the Government said, four more posts were created through upgradation order No. 735-Edu of 2018 dated June 9, 2018, raising the total to 25, and two lecturers joined through the JKPSC in the same year.
In 2019, two additional posts were created vide Order No. 117-Edu of 2019 dated March 6, 2019, bringing the total sanctioned strength to 27.
Regarding the steps taken for promotion, curriculum development and implementation of the Kashmiri language under NEP-2020, the Government said the process is being carried out at the Chief Education Officer level under the overall supervision of the Directorate of School Education, Kashmir, to ensure systematic implementation in schools.
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