Kashmir Impulse Desk

Srinagar, April 3

Nearly 80 percent of lecturer positions in higher secondary schools in the remote Gurez Valley remain vacant, the Jammu and Kashmir government said during the ongoing budget session of the legislative assembly, underscoring persistent gaps in staffing in far-flung areas.

The disclosure came in response to a question raised by Nazir Ahmad Khan, who flagged what he described as a “severe dearth” of teaching staff in the constituency, warning that the shortage was undermining students’ educational prospects.

According to the government’s reply, only 25 of the 85 sanctioned lecturer posts in Gurez have been filled, leaving 60 positions vacant. 

To bridge the gap, authorities said they were deploying postgraduate teachers and masters in temporary roles and engaging cluster resource coordinators.

Officials said efforts were underway to address the shortfall through promotions and fresh recruitment, though the process remains ongoing.

School-wise data presented to the assembly highlighted the extent of the shortage. 

A dozen lecturer posts are vacant at Government Boys Higher Secondary School, Purana Tulail, while multiple vacancies persist across institutions in Dawer, Izmarg, Badugam, and Kilshat.

The government said 594 lecturer vacancies across subjects had been referred to the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission, with selection lists in the final stages for some disciplines.

In the interim, the School Education Department has been appointing eligible postgraduate teachers as in-charge lecturers. 

Since January, dozens of teachers in subjects such as geography, political science and Dogri have been reassigned to fill critical gaps, with more such placements under consideration.

Authorities have also begun recalling teachers posted outside Gurez. 

The government told lawmakers that staff on deputation in other areas had been directed to return to their original postings in the valley.

Earlier this week, Education Minister Sakina Itoo said that around 150 lecturers and principals originally posted in Gurez were currently working in urban centers and would be sent back.

“There should be no undue influence,” Itoo said in the assembly, adding that directives had been issued to ensure their return.

The disclosures have renewed attention on the challenges facing education in remote regions of Jammu and Kashmir, where staffing shortages, difficult terrain and administrative gaps have long affected service delivery.