Budgam schools struggle with acute shortages

Srinagar, Jul 19: Students enrolled in government schools across central Kashmir’s Budgam district are facing major hardships due to acute staff shortages and lack of basic amenities, with many suffering in silence as these issues remain unaddressed.
Details accessed reveal a concerning scenario in Budgam, where a significant number of schools have long-standing vacancies for principals, headmasters, and other key staff. The district, which has 13 education zones, is grappling with a shortage of not only principals, headmasters, and master grade teachers, but also Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS) and lecturers.
Out of the 917 government schools catering to 7,548 students in Budgam, 12 of the 46 sanctioned principal positions remain vacant. Of the 572 lecturer posts, a staggering 171 have been vacant for the past three years. Additionally, 460 middle schools in the district are struggling due to a severe lack of teachers.
Though Budgam has 101 high schools, the district is short 210 master’s positions and has four unfilled posts in areas such as Magam, Khag, Khan Sahib, and Char Sharif. Five Zonal Education Officer (ZEO) positions in Khan Sahib, Budgam, and Khag also remain vacant.
Support staff shortages are equally concerning. There are 568 vacant head assistant posts, 12 senior assistant posts, 16 junior assistant positions, five laboratory assistants, 21 librarians, 17 library assistants, and 90 Class IV and MTS positions that have been unfilled for years.
Locals say that the absence of principals and headmasters is negatively impacting the quality of education. In many cases, a single principal has been given charge of up to three schools, complicating administrative tasks for both staff and students. Employees have expressed strong dissatisfaction over the failure to assign additional charges for secondary schools in several areas.
Adding to the woes, 98 schools across the district, from primary to higher secondary level, are operating from rented buildings—36 primary, 59 middle, two high schools, and one higher secondary. Senior education officials have failed to address these infrastructure issues, with the administration largely playing the role of a silent spectator.
A lack of proper drinking water and electricity in most schools is causing further distress to students. Local residents have voiced their frustration with the education department and are demanding urgent action to resolve the persistent staff shortages and basic facility gaps that are hampering the education and well-being of thousands of children in Budgam. (KNO)