Amar Nath Thakur
The State Government in 1987 took the decision to create new educational zones in the state to efficiently handle the educational and academic activites, to ensure the education to people at the door steps and in far flung areas. This exercise was completed in 1992, new 44 educational zones were created and nomencalture was changed from District education officer (DEO) to Chief education officer (CEO) and Block education officer (BEO) to Zonal education officer (ZEO), a deputy CEO post was also created in some districts. In Jammu division 17 new zones were created, these were Bhaddu, Mahanpur, Marheen, Lakhanpur and Sallan in Kathua district, Ramgrah in Samba distrct, Chinka and Chassana in Reasi, Nagseni and Dharabsalla in Kishtwar district, Gandhinagar, Chowki Chora, Arnia and Miran Sahib in Jammu district, Bhatote in Ramban district and Mankote in Poonch district, remaing all hanging zones are from Kashmir division.
But it is irony that only zonal education officers posts were sanctioned and other 11 posts under rules, ZEPO, junior. senior. assistants two each, account assistant, head assistant, accoutant and three class IV have not been sanctioned even after the lapse of 29 long years in these Zones. This is unfortunate . It is absolutely insensitive, illusive and lackadaisical approach of the school education department towards the most important and fundamental rights of all children. Neither elected MLAs nor Education Minister nor any secretary bothered to sanction these posts for the smooth functioning of the Education Department since 1992 till date and work of these educational zones is carried on through attachments of teachers, ZRPs CRPs and some clercks. Teachers duty is to teach in schools not to perform other duties in offices as a clerk. In 2003-04 SSA scheme was started by the Central Government and under this scheme new primary schools were opened at a distance of 1km. M /Sc were upgraded to high schools at a distance of 3-5 kms. all over the JK state (now UT) till this scheme was abandoned in 2018.
A new scheme RMSA was started in 2009-10 under which teaching staff was provided but headmaster, clerical, lib. lab.assistant and IV posts were not sanctioned. Later headmasters’ posts were sanctioned only in some schools. High school Sadrota Zone Malhar in Bani constituency was upgraded in 2003 , high school Doulah up graded in 2011 in Bani zone but no headmasters’ post or other supporting staff required in schools is sanctioned till date.
In aggregate 110 upgraded M/S to H/S under RMSA scheme since 2009 to 2015 are running with out headmasters, lab. lib. assistants, clerks and class IV till date. In 2008 new eight districts were created in the JK state, CEOs post was also created but other posts of Dy, CEO, district education planning officer DEPO with other supporting staff has not been sanctioned till date . All this speaks volumes about the fate of school education department in the JKUT. Tall claims of Government of providing quality education have fallen flat. Government has abandoned OBB, SSA, SBM, adult education and many school buildings. Similarly, it looks that Government has abandoned the sanctioning of teaching and non teaching staff posts in all 44 hanging educational zones and 110 hanging high schools of JKUT. This is the failure of people representatives, and the education department that no interest was taken in sanctiong the required staff in schools and zones. Mass promotion is not stopped, CCTV cameras are not installed in exam hall and schools.Regularization of incharge officers and lecturers is hanging in balance for many years.
Rationalization policy, auto rational transparent transfer policy for teaching staff is not implemented on the ground. Political approach, favouritism, neptoism, corruption, VIIP teacher culture too has derailed and ruined the future of poor innocent students since 2005, transfer industry during 2010 to 2014 created a bad name for Education Department, thousands of VIP teachers were attached in cities, towns and road side schools, were made surplus in league with corrupt elements and no one heard the demands raised from time to time by some honest union leaders, infact some union leaders were victimized by babus on the directions of political bosses.
JK school education employees co- ordination committee and JK Government teachers forum JKGTF submitted various memorandums to all education ministers, secretaries and advisors since 2015. Recently organization leaders also submitted memorandums K K Sharma Advisor to Lt. Governor, G C Murmu, the then Commissioner Secretaries Sarita Chauhan, Hardish Kumar and they assured that required posts under norms in all 110 hanging high schools and 44 educational zones would be sanctioned but since both have been transferred and matter again has been taken up with principal secretary school education Dr. Asgar Hassan Samoon, known for his honesty, dedication, commitment and quick action. He has assured that required staff would be sanctioned in all hanging zones, schools soon. Earlier the matter was also taken with DSE Jammu Anuradha Gupta . Hope this long pending and much required demands would be full filled at the earliest by all concerned authorities of education department on urgent basis.
(The author is Chairman JKSEECC/JKGTF)
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