Additional charge trend in SED: Secondary, senior secondary schools remain headless

Srinagar, April 20: The School Education Department (SED) has been hit with the additional charge syndrome, as scores of government-run high and higher secondary schools mostly in rural pockets have been rendered headless. The move has taken a heavy toll on the overall functioning of these schools in terms of academics and day to day affairs.

As these high and higher secondary schools have been without permanent heads, the School Education Department (SED) assigned the Drawing and Disbursing powers of these schools to other equivalent rank officials, paving the way for the additional-charge syndrome in the department.

As per the order issued by the Financial Commissioner (Additional Chief Secretary) SED, Shantmanu the DDO powers of around 61 schools were given to other officials. "Sanction is hereby accorded to the delegation of drawing and disbursing powers in respect of the  headless institutions to the officers till regular arrangement is made by the department," the order reads. These headless educational institutions include 14 in Anantnag, 19 in Baramulla, Budgam (7), one higher secondary school in Ganderbal, Kulgam (4), Kupwara (2), Pulwama (10), one high school in Shopian and three schools in Srinagar.

An official said that besides adversely affecting academics of the students, it becomes problematic to run the day to day affairs in these schools.

"The officer given powers of DDO only signs the salary bills. But at most of the times these temporary heads do not take decisions with regard to day to day affairs of the school," the official told Greater Kashmir. The official said in such circumstances, there remains no accountability in schools without a permanent head. "Instead of assigning DDO powers temporarily to others, the department should have started working on the issue and placed headmasters and principals in these schools immediately after these schools were rendered headless either due to transfers or retirement of school heads," the official said. He said the administrative department frequently takes details of retiring officers and other relevant details of officials and teaching staff but still things are not done on time. A top official in SED said that the department was aware of the issue and a process has been started to place permanent heads in all the headless institutions. "We are at it. Recently some promotions were ordered in the department and various schools were provided permanent heads. The exercise is going on and the issue will be resolved soon," the official said.