Over 8,000 Teaching Vacancies in J&K : J&k Govt
4325 Teaching Positions Vacant in Jammu, 3986 in Kashmir: Govt
Jammu, Mar 10: The Jammu and Kashmir Government informed the Legislative Assembly that a total of 8,311 teaching positions are vacant across the Union Territory, with 4,325 vacancies in Jammu division and 3,986 in Kashmir division.
4358 Schools Merged Under Rationalization Scheme
The government also stated that under the rationalization scheme, 4,358 schools were merged due to various factors. Of these, 1,274 schools were merged in Jammu division, while 3,084 were merged in Kashmir.
Replying to a starred question by Rajiv Jasrotia, BJP MLA from Jasrota Assembly Constituency in Kathua district, Sakeena Itoo, Minister in charge of the Education Department, informed the House that the schools were merged based on multiple factors, including:
- Proximity of multiple schools in the same vicinity
- Lack of proper infrastructure (schools operating from rented buildings or without buildings)
- Low or zero student enrollment
- Surplus teaching staff deployment based on area-specific needs
District-Wise Breakdown of Merged Schools
Jammu Division:
- Jammu district: 354 schools merged
- Kathua: 238
- Samba: 125
- Doda: 113
- Poonch: 103
- Rajouri: 98
- Udhampur: 91
- Kishtwar: 72
- Reasi: 61
- Ramban: 19 (least)
Kashmir Division:
- Baramulla: 638 schools merged (highest)
- Kupwara: 469
- Anantnag: 422
- Budgam: 353
- Bandipora: 289
- Kulgam: 267
- Pulwama: 204
- Srinagar: 168
- Shopian: 148
- Ganderbal: 126 (least)
Breakdown of Teaching Vacancies
The Minister also provided details of teaching staff vacancies in the region:
Jammu Division:
- Teachers & Masters: 1,665
- Lecturers: 2,218
- Head Masters: 402
- Principals: 40
Kashmir Division:
- Teachers & Masters: 1,671
- Lecturers: 1,957
- Head Masters: 300
- Principals: 58
Verification of Teaching Staff Degrees
In response to a question regarding the verification of degrees of teaching staff, the Minister said the Education Department directly forwards certificates to the concerned Universities for verification.
Degree Verification Output
- Jammu Division: 7,721 files examined, 4,617 verified, 3,104 found deficient
- Kashmir Division: 5,750 files examined, 4,253 verified, 1,497 found deficient
Only universities recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC), as per Government Order No. 940-Edu of 2017 (dated November 17, 2017), are considered valid for degree verification.