Lone teacher manages 6 classes in south Kashmir village

Srinagar, May 4: Despite repeated assurances of staff rationalisation by the Education Department, government schools in the remote areas of Kashmir continue to grapple with a severe shortage of teachers, severely impacting the quality of education.

While many urban schools remain overstaffed, their rural counterparts are overwhelmed, struggling with an insufficient number of teachers to manage the growing workload.

This stark imbalance depicts a troubling disparity in the pupil-teacher ratio across the region. A glaring example is the Government Primary School in Herigam Uril, located in the remote Kund Valley.

Established in 2009, the school has 60 students on its rolls but operates with only one teacher. This lone teacher is responsible for teaching all six classes from Kindergarten to 5th grade. Although the school has two sanctioned teaching posts, one is occasionally filled on a temporary basis.

Currently, however, the teacher is handling all responsibilities alone. “As the teacher finds it difficult to teach every class separately, he combines them,” said a parent of a student at the school.

“He first teaches all subjects to Kindergarten and 1st Standard students, then moves on to 2nd and 3rd, and finally 4th and 5th. This is how he manages the workload.”

The parent added that the quality of education is being compromised due to this arrangement.

“The teacher not only handles teaching duties but is also burdened with maintaining school records and completing assignments from the Education Department,” he said.

The lack of staff has also led to a decline in student enrollment.

“There are 19 students in Kindergarten, but only 10 in the 5th standard. The number should have been much higher,” said a teacher.

A similar situation exists in other schools across the Kund valley. The Government Primary School in Nubug operates with two teachers for 50 students.

Similarly, Government Middle School in Pajgam Nar village has only four teachers for 110 students.

The Kund Valley, comprising around 20 villages with a population exceeding 20,000, has several schools including high schools, middle schools, and primary schools but most suffer from the same issue.

“Our area is neglected because of its remoteness. No one wants to come here and teach,” said Sahil Ahmad, a local.

Chief Education Officer (CEO) of Kulgam, Shabir Ahmad, acknowledged the crisis. “We have many teaching posts lying vacant that have not been filled due to the ongoing recruitment freeze,” he said.

On the issue of rationalization, he added, “If we get the government's approval, we will carry it out.”