Srinagar, Feb 07: The Jammu and Kashmir Government informed the Legislative Assembly that 174 Government schools are currently functioning in Zainapora constituency, with 152 teaching and non-teaching posts lying vacant.
Replying to a question raised by MLA Showkat Hussain Ganie, the Minister incharge of School Education said that the sanctioned strength of teaching and non-teaching staff in these schools is 890, of which 738 posts are presently filled.
The Minister said that the 174 Government schools in Zainapora include 75 Primary Schools, 75 Middle Schools, 18 High Schools and six Higher Secondary Schools.
The education minister further informed the House that the School Education Department is making sustained efforts to ensure the availability of basic amenities in schools across the Union Territory, including those in the Zainapora constituency.
“All the 174 schools have classrooms, toilets and drinking water facilities. Library facilities are available in 113 schools, while laboratory facilities exist in 14 schools,” the Minister said.
On the issue of upgradation of schools, the Minister said that there is currently no proposal with the Government for upgrading schools from Primary to Middle, Middle to High, or High to Higher Secondary level. He said the department is presently focusing on strengthening infrastructure and ensuring adequate staffing, particularly in already upgraded schools.
The Minister added that school upgradation requires fulfillment of prescribed criteria and feasibility norms, including distance parameters, feeding schools and enrolment strength. Minister also pointed out that such upgradations involve substantial financial implications for infrastructure creation and additional teaching posts, which require concurrence from the Finance Department.
“Whenever proposals for upgradation of existing schools are received, feasible cases will be examined for consideration,”
the Minister said.
