Lopsided PTR plagues Government schools in north Kashmir districts

Srinagar, Oct 24: The lopsided Pupil Teacher Ratio (PTR) in government schools of north Kashmir districts has taken a toll on the academic progress of students enrolled in teacher-deficient schools.

The problem is especially pronounced in primary and middle schools, where a dearth of teaching staff has forced teachers to conduct combined classes, affecting the quality of education.

As the current academic session approaches its halfway mark, students in teacher-deficient schools find themselves at the receiving end of this problem, while the Education Department is still working to devise strategies to address the PTR imbalance.

The problem has become persistent following the withdrawal of authority from the Chief Education Officers (CEOs) to rationalise staff allocation in schools based on student requirements.

Earlier, under the cluster system of schools, the government had empowered cluster heads (Principals of Government Higher Secondary Schools) to allocate staff as needed at the cluster level, and similar powers were granted to the Joint Director of Education at the inter-cluster level, and the Director School Education Kashmir at the zonal level.

The Government Primary School Gori Muhalla in Rangpath village, Zone Mawar, district Kupwara is a case in point.

This school has an enrollment of over 85 students but has been assigned only two teachers.

In contrast, schools in adjacent villages are burdened with surplus staff, with a significant number of them being female teachers.

Regrettably, Government Primary School Gori Muhalla is not an isolated case, as dozens of schools across the region grapple with a similar situation.

Chief Education Officer (CEO) Kupwara, Abdul Hamid Fanie acknowledged the problem but emphasised that the CEOs currently lack the authority to rectify it.

He said that they had raised the issue with the Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) and were assured that steps were being taken to ensure a 1:20 teacher-student ratio in schools.

“The DSEK assured that CEOs will be given some powers to rationalise the staff in schools, and we will ensure the 1:20 ratio is followed,” Fanie said.

He said that areas like Khumriyal, Kralpora, Sogam, Trehgam, and Rajwar were severely affected by the dearth of teachers.

The situation is no better in government schools in Bandipora district where maintaining a balanced PTR remains a challenge, particularly in remote areas.

The official data reveals that while primary schools report encouraging enrollment numbers, these schools grapple with insufficient teaching staff, leaving students at a significant disadvantage.

For instance, the Government Primary School Tilwanpora Trigam, housing 54 students, is managed by only three teachers responsible for five different classes.

Other schools suffer even more, with fewer teachers assigned despite similar or larger student numbers.

The Government Primary School in Najan, for instance, is grappling with a PTR crisis, housing 37 students in five classes with only two teachers.

The situation is far from unique, with many primary schools in the area facing similar issues, making it exceedingly challenging for the teachers to manage day-to-day academic activities.

In the Chuntwari area of Bandipora, another primary school with 64 students also has just two teachers. Likewise, a different primary school with 70 students finds itself in a similar predicament.

The scarcity of staff in numerous schools has severely impacted the quality of education, and the concerned authorities have yet to take adequate measures to address this critical issue.

CEO Bandipora, Muhammad Amin Beigh admitted the gravity of the issue but highlighted that they currently lack the authority to resolve the PTR problem.

“I have conveyed the situation to higher-ups in the Education Department and proposed a comprehensive model, including appointing a headmaster at the primary school level and ensuring a minimum of five teachers in each primary school,” he said.

Beigh said that being the foundation of education, strengthening primary schools was imperative and further clubbing schools could offer a solution, enabling the department to provide adequate staff at every level.

“I assure you that once we are given the authority to streamline PTR in schools, we will resolve the problem,” he said.