Education on the Edge: Govt BHSS Tarathpora gasps for attention
Kupwara, Oct 7: Two decades after its establishment, the Govt Boys Higher Secondary School (BHSS) Tarathpora in the Ramhall area of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district continues to languish due to severe staff and infrastructure shortages, leaving hundreds of students in distress.
Despite being one of the key educational institutions in the region, BHSS Tarathpora has remained off the authorities’ priority list. The school, with an enrolment of 475 students, operates from just 10 functional classrooms, forcing students to study in overcrowded and poorly ventilated spaces.
“Three old buildings within the premises have been declared unsafe. If these are dismantled, it could make room for new constructions. However, the school stands on a small patch of land, leaving little scope for expansion,” a resident told Greater Kashmir.
The existing classrooms, locals said, are dimly lit and lack proper ventilation, making conditions especially difficult during summer. “Students not only suffer due to a lack of proper classrooms, but the absence of a sports ground also adds to their woes. The authorities should either relocate the school to a nearby location or acquire additional land for new infrastructure and a playground,” another resident said.
Students echoed similar concerns, saying that the situation is directly affecting their learning experience. “We often sit in overcrowded classrooms. In summer, it becomes suffocating because there’s no proper ventilation,” said a Class 12 student.
Another student lamented, “Our school has no playground, so we miss out on sports and outdoor activities.”
Adding to the crisis is an acute staff shortage. According to official data, of the 14 sanctioned lecturer posts, only five are filled, with three Cluster Resource Coordinators (CRCs) currently working. Of the two sanctioned master posts, only one is occupied, while the other has been vacant for several years. Similarly, out of five sanctioned teacher posts, one remains vacant. The lone sanctioned Senior Assistant post is also lying vacant, severely hampering the school’s administrative work.
Parents and residents have urged the Education Department to immediately address the staff deficiency and sanction funds for constructing new buildings. “Our children have been suffering for years. The government must act now to provide them with the facilities they deserve,” said a parent.
