Lopsided Pupil-Teacher Ratio plagues J&K schools, Govt admits helplessness
Srinagar, Oct 4: The crisis of disproportionate Pupil-Teacher Ratio (PTR) in government schools across Jammu and Kashmir continues unabated, exposing the widening gap between official claims and ground realities.
Despite repeated assurances and so-called rationalisation drives, hundreds of schools—particularly in rural and far-flung areas—remain severely understaffed, crippling academic activities and burdening existing teachers.
More than a year into the elected government’s tenure, the School Education Department (SED) has failed to balance staffing across institutions. While some schools in towns enjoy an excess of teachers, many rural schools are struggling with just two or three teachers managing entire classes.
Earlier this year, Education Minister Sakina Itoo had announced that teachers serving in urban areas for years would be relocated to rural schools. But with the current academic session nearing its end, little has changed on the ground.
Officials admit that despite multiple transfer drives, the problem persists due to political influence, security considerations, and a long freeze in new recruitment.
Recent inspections have revealed glaring disparities. A Zonal Education Officer in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district found 12 teachers posted at one middle school and seven at a nearby primary school—both located in accessible areas. In contrast, remote schools with over 150 students often operate with just three teachers.
“One school on the Baramulla outskirts with fewer than 50 students has 15 teachers, while another in a rural village with triple the enrollment has only three,” an official told Greater Kashmir.
Teachers posted in city schools often cite marriage, health, or security reasons to avoid transfers. “Whenever rationalisation is attempted, influential staff use their connections to block the process,” the official added.
The government’s Annual Transfer Drive (ATD), meant to address these imbalances, has largely failed to achieve its objective.
Speaking to Greater Kashmir, Education Minister Sakina Itoo attributed the issue to a recruitment freeze. “No fresh recruitment has taken place since 2019. That is the basic reason behind the shortage of teachers, especially in rural areas. We are trying to manage with the limited staff available,” she said.
She admitted that a significant number of teachers are concentrated in Srinagar on security grounds, limiting the department’s ability to post them elsewhere. “We cannot shift them to far-off places due to security concerns. It will be problematic,” she said.
The minister acknowledged that the PTR remains skewed and said Jammu and Kashmir faces unique challenges. “In recent years, several posts have fallen vacant due to retirements and deaths. Without fresh recruitment, we cannot fill the gaps. A lot needs to be done to streamline the teacher-student ratio,” she said.
