Srinagar, Feb 3: Education Minister Sakeena Itoo on Tuesday informed the Legislative Assembly that the present financial position of the UT does not allow the School Education Department (SED) to up-grade the existing schools to their next level.
The revelation was made by the government during the question hour of the ongoing Budget Session in the Assembly.
Replying to a query raised by MLA Mir Saifullah regarding the government plans about up-gradation of the schools, particularly in the Trehgam constituency, the minister for education Sakeena Itoo informed the House that the up-gradation of schools involved huge financial implications. “SED has no immediate proposal for establishment of new high and higher secondary schools viz-a-viz up gradation of schools as a large number of schools have already been upgraded,” education minister Sakina Itoo informed the House.
She further said that the department was presently focusing on creation of required infrastructure and providing staff to all the schools, especially the upgraded ones.
“The upgradation of the schools to their next level involves huge financial implications for creation of infrastructure and the posts of the teaching staff which required finance concurrence from the Finance Department,” she said. The minister further informed the House that it was not possible to arrange the required financial resources for the upgradation purpose given the financial position of J&K at present. “Moreover, the upgradation is subject to the fulfillment of the laid down criteria and norms,” she said.
MLA Mir Saifullah had raised a concern that there was a need to establish new schools considering the rise in the population.
“The SED is conscious of the educational needs arising out of the increasing population, particularly in far flung and rural areas of the Trehgam constituency,” she said. The minister further said that establishment of new educational institutions and up gradation of existing schools to higher levels was continuing periodically by the SED.
“As and when there is any proposal of the SED for the up gradation with the schools, the said schools of Trehgam constituency shall also be examined for consideration,” the minister informed the House.
To a separate query raised by MLA Arvind Gupta about utilisation of funds by SED, the education minister in a written reply informed the House that 93.03 percent and 93.05 percent funds were utilised during 2023-24 and 2024-025 financial year. The written reply reads that the Annual works plan and budget is prepared annually by JK Samagra Shiskha through the concerned Chief Education Officers (CEOs). “Clear instructions have been issued to all CEOs to formulate the annual work plan in consultation with elected representatives,” the written reply reads. It reads that there was no separate cadre for the primary and pre-primary teachers in the School Education Department.
“The teachers are being appointed in the department as General Line Teachers in accordance with the JK SED (subordinate) service recruitment rules, 2008. There is no proposal for cadre restructuring,” the written reply reads.
