‘Midday meal mismanagement will be dealt seriously’
Waris Fayaz
Sopore, Jul 26 :
Director of School Education Kashmir (DSEK), Dr G. N. Itoo, on Saturday said that the placement process for Postgraduate teachers, lecturers, headmasters and Zonal Education Officers (ZEOs) in government schools across Jammu and Kashmir is nearing completion, with the vacancy position expected to drop to zero by next month.
Speaking during an induction program in Sopore, Itoo, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) stated that they have already placed teachers in nearly 700 Cluster Resource Centres (CRCs). “A few vacancies are left, but they will be filled in a day or two. The government has also approved the engagement of additional teachers in both Jammu and Kashmir divisions, and the process will begin shortly,” he said.
He said the placement of Postgraduate teachers, lecturers, headmasters, and Zonal Education Officers (ZEOs) is in its final stages. “I am hopeful that by next month, the vacancy position will be brought to zero,” he added.
Director also said that the performance of government schools across Jammu and Kashmir has significantly improved in recent years, particularly in competitive exams like NEET and JEE. “Government schools are not lacking in results. In fact, performance has increased. Earlier, the pass percentage used to be 58%, now it is 72%. Students from government schools are now doing much better in competitive exams, even outperforming private schools in some remote areas.”
Highlighting the department’s efforts to improve teaching quality, Itoo noted that the process of assigning subject-specific teachers to schools is nearing completion.
On reports of rice being wasted under the Midday Meal scheme, Itoo acknowledged isolated incidents of mismanagement but said overall implementation remains sound. “Wherever we find mismanagement, we take corrective action. Local communities and school management committees have been asked to monitor this closely. More importantly, I urge parents to visit schools and interact with teachers. It’s a collective responsibility,” he said.
The Director expressed optimism about achieving even better academic outcomes, saying “We have reached 72–78% results. In the coming days, we aim to push towards 100% success in academics.”—(KNO)