200 clusters in J&K headless as Higher Secondary Principals’ posts lie vacant

Srinagar, Oct 21: Around 200 higher secondary schools in Jammu and Kashmir are operating without principals, creating administrative and academic challenges across the Union Territory.

The vacant posts have left as many clusters headless, affecting the monitoring and functioning of all schools under their jurisdiction.

“It is not only that 200 higher secondary schools are without principals, but on the ground, 200 clusters are headless as there is no proper monitoring in the absence of permanent heads,” an official told Greater Kashmir.

The charges of these positions have been temporarily assigned to other officials of equivalent rank, but he added, “It is not humanly possible to manage more than one institution or cluster effectively.”

The official said that over the years, it has been observed that headless schools often produce poor results in board exams due to the lack of accountability and academic oversight. “Besides administrative problems, the absence of permanent heads also takes a toll on academics,” the official added.

Speaking to Greater Kashmir, Education Minister Sakina Itoo said that since the formation of the elected government, all vacant CEO and ZEO posts have been filled on priority. “When I took over the charge, all these posts were lying vacant. We tried to fill posts of CEOs and ZEOs and conducted DPC meetings to clear promotions as well,” she said.

She further assured that the vacant positions of principals will also be filled. “We are doing it gradually. We have made a good start to bring the education system on the right track,” she added.