Bandipora, August 7 (KNS): A glaring imbalance in teacher deployment across government schools in Bandipora district has raised serious concerns about the state of affairs in Education Department- particularly in tribal and upper-reach areas—where students are being deprived of basic academic attention, while schools in town areas remain overstaffed, with many teachers performing clerical duties instead of teaching.
Ground reports and field visits reveal a stark contrast in how human resources are distributed across the district. In the remote Primary School Duban, which caters to 135 students—mostly from the tribal Gujjar and Bakarwal communities—only three teachers are posted. The school had four, but one was recently redeployed to High School Qazipora, located near the town, where 13 teachers are already serving 219 students.
"This is not just a number mismatch. It reflects misplaced priorities and a complete disregard for equitable education," said a senior teacher from the district, requesting anonymity.
A similar situation prevails at BMS Chechinar Binlipora, where only four teachers are responsible for nearly 100 students across at least nine different classes. “How can four teachers manage nine sections and still do justice to learning outcomes?” asked a local education activist from Binlipora.
In sharp contrast, schools in town areas are facing a surplus of staff. Teachers in these schools often deliver just one lecture a day, with the rest of their time spent on clerical work—updating records, compiling data, maintaining registers, and unless chit chats and discussions.
Heads of Institutions (HoIs), despite official instructions to take at least two classes daily, rarely enter classrooms, with many choosing to stay in their offices or avoid academic engagement altogether.
“This is not why I became a teacher,” said a government school teacher in Bandipora. “Half my day is spent filling Excel sheets and preparing data for portals. Teaching has become secondary.”
The situation is not just a bureaucratic anomaly—it’s an ethical issue.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelParents in tribal and far-off areas have voiced anger over the shortage of teachers and the quality of education their children are receiving.
“Our children are being denied their right to education simply because nobody wants to serve in remote schools,” said a concerned father from Duban.
Slamming ministers for participating in tribal festivals in Gurez, parents said the real tribal festival would be if tribal schools had enough teachers and infrastructure. “Gujjar and Bakerwal are also tribals, we are being denied education while there is surplus staff in schools where more students prefer Private schools and govt Schools are empty”
Observers say the problem is not a lack of teachers, but a lack of rational deployment. “It doesn't require rocket science. Just simple data and the will to do justice,” said a retired principal from Sumbal. “But many teachers resist transfers to far-off areas, and the administration lacks the resolve to correct this imbalance.”
The Directorate of School Education has, in the past, issued guidelines directing HoIs and teaching staff to prioritise classroom work over clerical tasks. However, implementation remains weak, and accountability mechanisms are either absent or ineffective.
Educational observers and civil society members are now demanding a time-bound rationalisation drive, including digital audits, surprise inspections, and strict adherence to classroom teaching norms. They argue that the learning crisis in government schools cannot be fixed unless the focus shifts back to where it belongs—the classroom.
“Teachers must teach, heads must lead academically, and students—regardless of where they live—must not suffer due to administrative convenience,” said a local civil society member.
As the new academic session advances, the stakes are high, particularly for first-generation learners in tribal belts. Without urgent intervention, the cost will be borne by the children—those who need education the most, but get the least.(KNS)