Decks being cleared for fresh recruitment of teachers
JAMMU: After a gap of eight years, decks are being cleared for fresh recruitment of teachers in Jammu and Kashmir as the School Education Department has decided to de-freeze 50 percent posts of General Line Teachers.
Decision in this regard was taken during a high level review meeting of the Department , held recently under the chairpersonship of Education Minister Sakeena Itoo.
While deliberating on the issue of shortage of teaching staff in view of subsuming of General Line Teacher vacancies against the supernumerary posts created for Regularized Rehbar-e-Taleem (RRET) transition as per State Administrative Council decision in 2018, the Minister directed that the department shall move a proposal for de-freezing of 50 percent of posts thereby extending the transition period from 2029 to 2034.
Pertinent to mention that the State Administrative Council vide its decision 166/22/2018, dated 07-12-2018 froze further recruitment of General Line Teachers to accommodate the absorption of RRETs as Grade II and Grade III teachers for resolution of their salary issue of . As a result of this decision, no new recruitment of General Line Teachers has taken place in the School Education Department since 2018 thus resulting into shortage of teachers in Government schools. Last time recruitment for the posts of General Line Teachers was advertised in 2017.
The Government decision to de-freeze 50 percent of available 6576 vacant posts has paved the way for fresh recruitment of 3288 teachers in the School Education Department through J&K Services Selection Board.
The review meeting also took some other important decisions for ensuring the availability of basic facilities in the schools, proper maintenance of the institutions, creation of staff for hanging schools, engagement of subject specific teachers and Cluster Resource Coordinators, honorarium for cooks and CPWs, etc.
While reviewing the availability of basic facilities, it was revealed that still 1900 schools in J&K are without separate girls’ toilet and 8.5 percent schools are without electricity. It was also apprised in the meeting that only 50 percent desks are available in the schools.
In the meeting, directions were issued to all CEOs for ensuring the availability of girls’ toilets in schools within four months. Besides, all the Heads of Institutions shall be designated as Estate Officers of their Schools with the responsibility of ensuring the availability of basic facilities and proper maintenance of the institutions.