JAMMU — As many as 12,977 teaching posts are lying vacant across Jammu and Kashmir, while no school has been upgraded since November 2024, Education Minister Sakina Itoo informed the Assembly on Thursday.
In a written reply to a starred question raised by BJP MLA Shakti Raj Parihar, the minister said 7,985 teacher posts are vacant in the Jammu division and 4,992 in the Kashmir division.
According to district-wise data, Rajouri 1,416, Kathua 1,332, Jammu 1,234 and Poonch 946 recorded the highest vacancies in the Jammu division, while Anantnag 1,016, Budgam 797, Pulwama 764 and Kupwara 621 topped the list in Kashmir division.
On promotional vacancies of Masters, Itoo said 1,722 posts are vacant in the Kashmir division and 224 in the Jammu division, adding that all such vacancies are being filled through Divisional Level Departmental Promotion Committees in accordance with rules.
Replying to another query, the minister said no middle, high or higher secondary school has been upgraded since November 2024.
“There is no immediate proposal under consideration for upgradation of schools to the next level, particularly in hilly and remote areas of Doda district,” she said, explaining that upgradation requires infrastructure development and creation of teaching and non-teaching posts, which involves financial concurrence from the Finance Department.
However, she added that whenever proposals are taken up, feasible schools in Doda district would be considered strictly as per norms, requirements and feasibility reports. — (PTI)