Sarfraz Ahmed Thakkar
Several schemes have been implemented by the central government to promote quality education and increase enrolment rates in the country.One such scheme was Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) which has been recently absorbed under Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) (2018-2019). Originally, RMSA was launched across India in 2009. As the scheme commenced, many schools in Jammu and Kashmir began upgrading and issued the need for additional staff.
According to a report, by 2014, 110 middle schools were upgraded to high schools and about 550 subject-specific teachers – 320 in Jammu Division and 230 in Kashmir Division, were recruited. However, a few applicants claimed that teachers were not recruited in 2014 and an advertisement was issued in 2017 to appoint subject-specific teachers for these 110 high schools. According to Rajesh Kumar, 30, a RMSA teacher from Poonch district, 550 subject teachers were recruited in 2018 after a gap of four years.
Chand Sudan, another RMSA subject teacher from Jammu explained that they were recruited after a very long process. “Between 2014 to 2018, we had to undergo different stages such as state level screening test and merit check. After the completion of an exhaustive procedure, 550 subject specific teachers were appointed in 2018 in 110 High schools, which were upgraded in 2014,” he said.
Only postgraduate candidates with a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) degree were appointed in their subjects of specialisation. Finally, in February 2018, they were officially appointed to the schools. In a very short time, interviewees claimed that these teachers, using their skills, not only improved the results of these schools and increased the enrolment rate, but also improved the curriculum and increased extra-curricular activities.However, within a year, they were discontinued through a government order issued in July 2019. Although they were rehired again on a temporary basis but it lasted for a month.
As per the rules of RMSA, the contract of these teachers was to be extended based on their performance. And since the scheme has been absorbed under SSA, which has been extended to March 2026, RMSA is still operational. The scheme gives a guarantee to work unless the project stops getting funds from the government. Despite, that they were removed. For teachers who had left higher studies to join for their post immediately have been left disappointed.
Mushtaq Ahmad Siddiqui, a bright young teacher from the border district of Poonch,had given up his PhD degree from Jawaharlal Nehru University to join as a teacher under RMSA. “It feels like I have been taken advantage of. Hundreds like me were removed so conveniently without considering our future,” expressed Mushtaq.
Another RMSA teacher, Muhammad Iqbal Zargar from North Kashmir, despises the fact that they were left unemployed despite acquiring higher education. “We served in remote areas and tried to improve the literacy rate. We made sure to impart quality education to the children in the remote corners of the Union Territory. After struggling to improve the education system of the country, our own career is at stake,” rued Muhammad. Muhammad Asif, also a subject specific teacher from Kupwara is currently working as a daily wage labourer – he has completed his MPhil and PhD. “I have two children. How will I cater to my family if I don’t work. There is no hope of getting our positions back, so we might as well take up the available jobs,” explained Asif.
Unlike the subject-specific teachers, computer programmers and many others are still serving under the scheme. Reflecting on it, Nisha Sharma, a teacher from Reasi District, said, “We filed a petition on 26th May, 2021 in the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir. Although the hearing was scheduled on July 28th, 2022, it could not happen as the lawyers were on strike. It was rescheduled for September 5th, 2022. Now we are just waiting for our services to be restored,” expressed Nisha.
Currently, according to the concerned department, the RMSA scheme does not exist. Abdul Majeed, the Chief Education Officer of Poonch, was unavailable for comments. Now, the question that arises is, if there is no scheme as RMSA, under which scheme are the remaining appointed people working? Under which scheme are they getting wages?
There are several schools, which are still awaiting subject-specific teachers in Jammu and Kashmir and, on the other hand, there are teachers who are struggling to regain their jobs. As Chand Sudan and Sheetal Anand from Jammu put it, “Since August 10, 2019, we have knocked at the doors of every department. We are not looking for anything permanent, but at least let us serve on a temporary basis as long as the project lasts. That would be enough.”
(The author is a rural writer from Poonch)
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