Srinagar, Oct 16, KNT: The education sector across Kashmir Valley is reeling under an acute administrative crisis, with scores of schools and educational zones functioning without Principals and Zonal Education Officers (ZEOs) for months, severely affecting academic and administrative functioning.
Official sources informed the news agency Kashmir News Trust that Budgam district in Central Kashmir has emerged as the worst-affected, with several higher secondary schools and zones operating virtually headless. At Khag Higher Secondary School, the post of Principal has remained vacant for over six months, while Boys Higher Secondary School Khag has been without a Principal for the last four months. Similarly, Drang Higher Secondary School has been functioning without a Principal for nearly two years, leaving teachers and students without proper supervision or administrative guidance.
The crisis extends to the zonal administration as well. Khag Zone has been without a Zonal Education Officer for two years, while Magam Zone also lacks a permanent ZEO, with officials only managing through additional charge arrangements. In Beerwah Zone, the situation remains similar, with no regular officer posted. Even in Gulab Bagh Zone of Srinagar, which oversees nearly 300 teachers, the ZEO post has remained vacant for six months.
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Teachers say that the absence of regular administrative heads has left the education machinery crippled. “Those holding additional charges are unable to take major policy decisions. As a result, institutions are getting weaker by the day,” said a senior teacher from Budgam.
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The lack of leadership has also affected teachers’ career progression. Several educators complain that Departmental Promotion Committees (DPCs) have been delayed, while study leave applications remain pending for months. “Officers with additional charge show little interest in processing files because they don’t hold permanent responsibility,” said another teacher.
Many in the teaching community expressed disappointment that Education Minister Sakina Itoo has not addressed the long-pending issue despite repeated appeals. “We thought the minister would act swiftly to fill vacant posts and streamline administration, but nothing has changed,” said one teacher.
Teachers warn that the continued administrative void in key educational zones is eroding institutional efficiency, reducing accountability, and affecting student outcomes. They have urged the government to immediately fill vacant posts of Principals and ZEOs to ensure proper academic supervision and smooth functioning of educational institutions and zones.
Repeated attempts to seek a response from Education Minister, Sakina Itoo, did not yield any result, as her phone was out of network coverage. [KNT]
