SED operates 184 upgraded schools without staff, funds left unused

Srinagar, Oct 24: The School Education Department (SED) is running 184 upgraded schools during the past years without creation of the staff.

These schools were upgraded in the past under the erstwhile RMSA scheme without creation of the required posts.

Recently the issue was flagged in a high level meeting chaired by Minister for Education Sakina Itoo wherein it was revealed that 184 hanging schools were upgraded from time to time without creation of staff. "These schools are functioning through internal arrangement," the meeting was informed.

During the meeting, instructions were passed to the director planning to move a proposal for creation of staff for these hanging schools for the concurrence of the Finance Department.

In the meeting it was informed that the funds released to Chief Education Officers (CEOs) remain utilised, resulting in delayed completion of the projects.

"The non-utilization of funds released to CEOs for procurement and meeting of other exigencies of urgent nature was viewed very seriously," the official document reads.

Directions were passed that the funds available with the CEOs and ZEOs be utilized immediately after following proper procedure.

"Action will be taken for unnecessary parking of funds by the concerned officers," the document reads.

During the meeting, the minister for education asked the Secretary, School Education Department (SED) to seek the suggestions of both the directors for framing of transfer policy for ReT teachers and other inter district interdivisional transfers.

In the meeting, all the officers were directed for immediate disposal of files and warned for unnecessary delay in processing files of urgent nature.

During the meeting, the minister acknowledged an increase in literacy rate as per the latest data released by the Ministry of Education(MoE). The meeting was informed that the SED was focusing on further improvement and declaration of some districts as 100% literate after ascertaining the fulfillment of required norms.

During the meeting, it was informed that in-principle approval has been obtained and cabinet note was under submission for de-freezing of vacancies of General Line Teachers (GLTs) kept reserved as per SAC decision.

"It was decided that incorporation or alteration of subject-specific quota in the recruitment rules will take time and thus in the meanwhile, the changes shall be reflected in the Executive Order specifying categories of subject specific teachers," it reads.

Regarding the one-time exemption and acquiring of higher qualifications through distance mode, the department has decided that the recommendations of the designated committee for acquiring of higher qualification through distance mode shall be incorporated in the seniority lists of various disciplines on a case-to-case basis.

The department is also planning for physical monitoring of the projects at district level for which the services of 82 engineers engaged under Samagra Shiksha will be utilised for monitoring of civil works at individual level.

"Chief Education Officer concerned and SE/XEN from PW(R&B) department shall jointly review the progress on a monthly basis," it reads.