Idrees Bukhtiyar
BARAMULLA: They say rules are for fools. And when one observes functioning of the education department in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, the saying turns out to be apt.
Notwithstanding claims of government that there was no provision like deputation and transfer of Rehber-Taleem (ReT) teachers, the practice is rampant in Uri Zone.
Sources said teachers from influential quarters approach the zonal level authorities for transfer to schools which are either nearest to their homes or are easily approachable through a motorable road network.
Government Primary School Silakote, located close to Line of Control, is one of the schools where students are suffering. It was being run by three teachers until recently, but two of them were transferred all of a sudden and no substitutes were sent for them.
“At-least 30 students are studying in the school. The transfer of two teachers has put the career of these students on stake,” the Sarpanch of Silakote, Ghulam Hassan Chalkoo told FreePress.
Locals estimate that over 70 teachers have been transferred from their actual posts in various borders areas in the recent past which has hit functioning of schools.
The Deputy Chief Minister, who is also the education Minister, Tara Chand last month issued orders for immediate withdrawl of the transfer orders of all the teachers.
But nothing has happened so far. Many schools continue to remain affected.
The Chief Education Officer, Baramulla, Abdul Rouf Shahmeeri said the department was running short of staff.
“It is a compulsion to depute teachers from one school to another, but a strict action will be taken action ZEO Uri and the two teachers.
“I assure the residents of Silakote that very soon two teachers will be posted in the primary school so that it can run properly,” he said.
