Acute Staff Shortage, Absence of Regular Headmaster Plague GHS Nagar in Reasi

Locals Seek Immediate Intervention

By Ajay Sharma

Reasi, September 12:
An acute shortage of teaching staff, coupled with the absence of a regular headmaster, has reportedly affected the functioning of Government High School Nagar in Reasi district, raising concerns over the quality of education being provided to students.

Located around 6–7 kilometres from Reasi town, the school has reportedly been functioning without a regular headmaster for nearly two years, according to sources.

Sources said the shortage of teaching staff was adversely affecting the education of students, particularly those from families dependent on government schools for their children’s education.

According to sources, the headmaster of the school was recently posted to Government High School Bidda, despite the latter reportedly already having a headmaster. The officer reportedly reached the school to join but found that the post was already occupied.

The development has raised questions about coordination between the Chief Education Officer (CEO), Reasi, and the Directorate of School Education, Jammu, particularly with regard to identifying vacant posts and ensuring the rational deployment of teaching staff, sources said.

Sources further alleged that several teachers and headmasters continue to remain attached to offices, including the CEO’s office, instead of being deployed in schools where their services are urgently required.

They also questioned the alleged practice of posting teachers to schools with comparatively fewer students while institutions with larger enrolments continue to face staff shortages.

“Government High School Nagar has around 80 students but is functioning with only four to five teachers,” sources said.

They added that two teachers had recently been posted to the school on a temporary basis. However, one of them has reportedly not joined despite an order having been issued several days ago.

The alleged shortage of staff and the prolonged absence of a regular headmaster have caused concern among local residents, who fear that students may suffer academically if the situation is not addressed promptly.

Local residents have urged the Education Minister, Director of School Education, Jammu, Chief Education Officer, Reasi, and the Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir to intervene and take immediate steps to address the situation.

They have demanded the appointment of a regular headmaster at Government High School Nagar, the immediate joining of teachers posted to the school on a temporary basis, and a comprehensive review of staff deployment across government schools in the district.

Residents said a rational and transparent deployment policy was essential to ensure that schools with higher enrolment and greater staffing requirements receive adequate teaching personnel, thereby safeguarding the educational interests of students.