Top JK officer says can’t force anyone to enroll kids in govt schools

Srinagar, Mar 05: The Financial Commissioner Education Department Shantmanu on Wednesday said that giving education to children was a fundamental right and the government cannot force anyone to enroll their kids in the government-run schools.

The statement comes at a time when the Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) has decided to hold a mega enrollment drive from March 7 of 2025 when the schools will reopen after winter vacations.

Shantmanu said this while responding to a query about how the teachers and other senior officers will convince the parents to enroll kids in government schools when their own kids are enrolled in private schools.

“You cannot force anyone. But we have to create an environment where people automatically or in a natural way send their children to government schools,” Shantmanu told reporters on the sidelines of 38th Convocation of IGNOU regional centre Srinagar.

“I have studied from a government school from Bihar Board. I have studied the 12th class in Hindi. It was a very good standard,” he said.

He further said that as per his 34 years of experience, there are many good government schools as well. “But of course, there are certain remote areas, where there is a dearth of teachers. But overall, the standard is very good. All our teachers are qualified. Many of them are highly qualified,” he said.

He said the department has introduced the attendance monitoring system. You must know that we have set up an education centre, in which we have a live record of teachers attending the schools and what they are teaching students,” he said.

The Financial Commissioner said that with this monitoring, the involvement of teachers has increased.

“But again, it is a matter of concern for all of us that the number of enrollment is going down, not drastically, but slightly it is going down,” he said.

About the vacancies and Pupil Teacher Ratio (PTR) in schools, Shantmanu said the annual transfer drive could not be done last year because of this Model Code of Conduct. “But very soon, we will try to fill up all those posts and streamline availability of adequate teachers in schools,” he said.

About the lack of infrastructure in schools, Shantmanu said during the last few years the infrastructure facilities in schools has improved a lot.

“At least now, there are separate toilets for girls in every school. We have IT and computer facilities available everywhere. Power supply, water supply has also reached almost every school,” he said.

He however said that in case of any gaps in infrastructure in schools, they have prepared a plan to augment the infrastructure under Samagra Shiksha.

“Our new sanctions will come under Samagra Shiksha for the current new financial year and all the gaps will be plugged,” he said.

He further said that the department has taken up the matter with MLAs who have given their requisitions as well.

“A very composite plan has been prepared. And we will try to see that all the schools which do not have four walls or face a dearth of classrooms, all these issues will be looked into,” he said.