No more teachers as 'pollsters, inspectors'

Bukhari announces reforms

BIVEK MATHUR

JAMMU: Promising improvement in standard of education at government schools, Minister for Education, Altaf Ahmed Bukhari today announced a slew of reforms in the department which is largest employer in Jammu and Kashmir.
No teacher, henceforth, shall be put on poll duty or any other coordinating job or inspection job for various government schemes, Minister Altaf Bukhari said today. He said that now onward teachers would not render their service as BLO during elections or census in the state. "Already, 80% of the teachers working as BLO for the by-polls to Anantnag and Srinagar Lok Sabha Parliamentary seat, have been removed on the direction of the Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti," Bukhari said, adding, "We will also request Divisional Commissioner, Jammu as well to follow same instructions and ensure that no teacher works as BLO during census and elections here." The Minister was addressing a press conference here this morning.
Asserting that Chief Minister is very keen to improve the standard of education in government schools, the Minister said, "I also propose to end the role of teachers as Mid Day Meal (MDM) and government building construction coordinators now onward."
The minister said that his government will outsource the MDM to certain NGOs for which he sought cooperation from media also to suggest names of some NGOs.
On government teachers working as clerks, he said, "We will seek cooperation of CAs and Account Assistants to relive teachers as clerks."
He said that government school teachers are highly qualified and talented but unlike private school teachers, they lack the quality of ownership.
"So, by freeing them from their role as contractors, clerks, BLOs, we've decided to make them accountable so that they would own their duties," the minister said.
He also said that now onward the criteria for promotions would be decided on the basis of results to government schools.
He said, "If a teacher fails to perform, his/her promotions would be stopped."

PENDING SALARIES OF TEACHERS
The Minister also assured that his government will release the pending salaries under SSA, describing it as a chronic problem confronting the department and a genuine grievance of teaching community.
He said the problem faced by the teachers working under SSA due to non-payment of salaries is a serious concern for one and all. "Since 2015-16, the State succeeded in convincing the GoI for 90:10 patterns in SSA funding. This year, due to substantial cut in the allocations of the MHRD, the Ministry could not provide adequate funds to JK."
The Minister informed that against the approved Central allocation of Rs 1750 crore during the current fiscal (2016-17), an amount of Rs 1024.00 crore has been released by the GoI. He said the Central Govt has already been requested to release the balance amount of Rs 726.00 crore to meet out the requirement of pending salary of the teachers since September 2016.
"I accompanied by Principal Secretary, School Education Mr Shaleen Kabra had a detailed interaction with the Union HRD Minister at New Delhi recently regarding the release of pending salary SSA teachers. The Union Minister agreed in principle to release the balance of Rs 726.00 crore out of which some funds are expected to be released shortly."

REGULARIZATION OF CEOs AND JDs
Bukhari said the regularization of CEOs and Joint Directors was pending since 2007 and 2009 respectively. "In the first instance, department has prepared regularization proposal for JDs and CEOs clearing all vacancies which have became available till date. Remaining regularization proposals are also being finalized shortly," he informed.

TRANSFERS OF TEACHERS
On teachers' transfers, the minister said, "It is not possible for this government to transfer all the teachers to capital cities of Jammu and Srinagar."
"Only genuine cases like a pregnant women or differently able teachers having problem living outside will be accommodated in place of their choice," he said, adding, "Otherwise, this government will take harsh steps against those not joining rural areas to serve the poor children studying there."

TRAINING PROGRAMMES FOR TEACHERS
On training of teachers, the minister concerned said, "Already the teachers are undertaking various crash and capsule course to improve their teaching skills but we will further give this process an impetus."

REGULARIZATION OF CONTRACTUAL TEACHERS
Replying a media query on regularization of contractual teachers protesting across the state, the minister said, "The word contractual itself says that the teachers are engaged on contract basis for a particular time period."
"So, their demand of regularization is highly unjustified. I would say that despite appearing in various exams conducted by recruitment agencies time and again, why they are not getting permanent jobs. I think it speaks volume."

RE-CONSTRUCTION OF BURNT SCHOOLS IN VALLEY
Replying another query about re-construction of burnt schools in Kashmir valley, the minister said that it is a time consuming process.
"I don't want to go into this entire episode of burning of schools but it is a time and money consuming process. So, with our government facing financial constraint, the process will take some time."

BETTER SANITATION IN GOVT SCHOOLS
The education minister said government, particularly Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti is very particular about better amenities including sanitation, toilets, safe drinking water and power in government schools. He said strict instructions have been issued to complete all required works in this regard at the earliest.