Suhail Rather
Bandipora, April 5: A surprise inspection carried out by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Gurez Mukhtar Ahmad on Saturday exposed widespread absenteeism among teaching staff in several government-run schools in Gurez valley.
In a report submitted to Deputy Commissioner Bandipora, a copy of which is available with Kashmir Convener, 30 lecturers and teachers were found absent from past many days in only seven Schools of Dawar and peripheries in Gurez valley.
Taking serious note of the situation, the SDM Gurez has submitted a detailed report to the Deputy Commissioner Bandipora, urging strict disciplinary action against the defaulting teachers under the applicable service rules.
Officials said the inspection was conducted to assess the attendance and overall functioning of schools in the Gurez Sub-Division. The schools visited included Boys Higher Secondary School Dawar, Girls Higher Secondary School Dawar, High Schools in Chorwan and Achoora, Middle Schools in Chorwan and Mastan, and the Eklavya Model Residential School Gurez.
SDM in his report to the Deputy Commissioner stated that the inspection revealed that a significant number of teachers were absent from duty without prior authorization. The unauthorized absence of staff has left classrooms unattended, severely affecting the learning experience of students.
“The persistent absenteeism has led to growing resentment among parents, who have been protesting against the negligence of teaching staff,” reads the SDM’s report