Administrative vacuum in schools as 55% headmaster posts remain unfilled

Srinagar, Jun 22: The secondary level schools across Jammu and Kashmir seem to be left on crutches as more than half of the government high schools across J&K are functioning without permanent headmasters.

The move has raised concerns over administrative efficiency and academic supervision in the school education sector.

According to the newspaper’s assessment, out of about 1,593 government high schools in Jammu and Kashmir, nearly 890 do not have permanent headmasters.

The vacancies include 475 schools in Kashmir division and 415 in Jammu division.

The data further shows that of the total high schools, 757 are located in Kashmir division and 836 in Jammu division respectively.

A substantial number of these institutions continue to function without regular heads, which has paved the way for the additional charge syndrome in the department.

Currently, the department has assigned the charge of these schools to the heads of other high schools or to the officials of equivalent ranks.

An official told Greater Kashmir that the number of vacant posts has significantly increased over the years due to the delay in the process of promotion.

“During the last one year, the department issued two separate consideration list for both the divisions but unfortunately over 200 masters retired from their service since then and the department is still delaying promotions,” the official told Greater Kashmir.

He said the department is seeking details from the subordinate offices repeatedly but there is no progress ahead, affecting the smooth functioning of schools.

“The current arrangement has adversely affected both administrative and academic functioning of schools. Managing two institutions simultaneously is practically difficult and often results in delayed decision-making, weak monitoring and inadequate supervision of academic activities,” the official added.

He said the additional charge arrangement serves as a temporary arrangement, but it cannot substitute a full-time headmaster.

“One person cannot effectively manage the affairs of more than one school at the same time,” he added.

In Baramulla district alone, 81 out of 151 government high schools are functioning without permanent headmasters.

Earlier, the School Education Department (SED) declared 2026 as the year of academic excellence, but the ground situation is contrary to the claims as the schools are functioning without heads.

As per the official statistics, the elementary level schools are facing a dearth of teachers while over 50 per cent secondary level schools are without permanent heads.

Recently, the department ordered that Parent Teacher Meetings (PTM) on the 26th of every month, but in most of the schools, such meetings serve no purpose given the absence of the permanent head of the institution.

“Headmasters play a crucial role in school administration, implementation of educational programmes, and coordination with parents and local communities. The prolonged vacancies have created an administrative vacuum in these schools,” he added.

Minister for Education, Sakina Itoo said the department was aware of the dearth of headmasters in schools.

“We are receiving complaints about the vacant posts of headmasters in schools. I will discuss the issue with the Commissioner Secretary, Education Department,” she told Greater Kashmir.

She added that the posts will be filled in a time-bound manner.