Discrepancies in Tangmarg’s dismal education scenario comes under Govt scanner

Baramulla, Jun 20: The discrepancies in the education system in Kunzer and Tangmarg areas of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district have come under the government scanner, as amid administrative irregularities and lack of accountability, the government is set to order a probe, said an official.

The prevalent practice of assigning additional charges to individual officials has severely affected the functioning of educational institutions in these zones.

A glaring example is seen in a zone , where the Principal of Government Higher Secondary School Kunzer is simultaneously holding additional charges as Zonal Education Officer (ZEO) and Principal of Government Higher Secondary School. The same official is now being accused of running and promoting a private tuition centre on the social media platform despite being a government servant in direct violation of established government service rules. Local residents and stakeholders say this situation reflects the broader failure of administrative oversight and rising bureaucratic interference, which is jeopardising the academic future of thousands of students in the area. "Imagine a single official heading two higher secondary schools, holding the charge of ZEO, and on top of that, running a private tuition centre while promoting it on Facebook. This is a clear and gross violation of service rules, yet authorities remain silent spectators,” said Muhammad Shafi, a local resident. Government norms clearly prohibit teachers and lecturers employed in government institutions from engaging in private tuition or coaching centres. Any official found guilty of such misconduct is liable for disciplinary action.

There is growing concern among the teaching community that recent transfers of Public Service Commission (PSC) qualified lecturers from local government schools were deliberately executed. Affected lecturers claim these transfers have been strategically planned to weaken government institutions and drive students toward private coaching centres, often linked to officials within the education department. “These transfers have led to serious challenges. With experienced lecturers removed, students are now forced to seek coaching at private centres, resulting in increased financial burdens on their families,” said a concerned parent. Local residents are demanding a high-level inquiry into the matter and are calling on senior officials to restore transparency and accountability in the education sector. “We urge the government to take immediate steps to fill the vacant posts of ZEOs in Kunzer and Tangmarg and appoint qualified staff to higher secondary schools to bring the education system back on track,” said Abdul Hameed, another resident.

Meanwhile, Director of School Education, GN Itoo, when contacted, said he is unaware of any government official running or promoting a private institute. “If the allegations are found to be true, action will be taken as per government norms,” he assured.