Reshuffle in School Education Department; RN Sharma Lauded for Transforming Govt Schools

RC Sharma Chanakya
Jammu, Jan 15: In a significant administrative move aimed at strengthening the school education system, the Government of Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday ordered the transfer and posting of four Chief Education Officers (CEOs) and one Associate Professor in the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), Jammu, in the interest of the School Education Department.
As per Government Order No. 24-JK(Edu) of 2026 dated January 15, 2026, approved by the Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, School Education Department, Kewal Krishan has been posted as Chief Education Officer, Kathua. Yashpal Sharma, earlier serving at DIET Poonch, has been transferred and posted as Chief Education Officer, Samba, vice Kewal Krishan. Balbir Kumar has been shifted from DIET Shopian and posted as Chief Education Officer, Budgam, while Ab Gani Bhatt has been transferred from DIET Kupwara and posted as Chief Education Officer, Kulgam. Meanwhile, Mohd Shabir, Chief Education Officer, Kulgam, has been posted as Associate Professor, SCERT, Jammu.
The reshuffle is widely viewed as a strategic step to enhance the quality of education in government schools and enable them to compete effectively with private institutions. The changes reflect the administration’s resolve to place capable and experienced officers at key positions to ensure better academic outcomes, improved governance, and strengthened institutional accountability.
Notably, the reforms in the School Education Department have gained remarkable momentum after the joining of Ram Niwas Sharma, IAS, as Commissioner/Secretary, School Education Department. His visionary leadership, tireless efforts, and hands-on approach have significantly raised the standards of teaching and learning in government schools-an improvement that is now clearly visible on the ground.
Under his stewardship, the department has witnessed focused interventions on multiple fronts, including teacher performance, academic monitoring, infrastructure development, and student-centric initiatives. His emphasis on quality education, discipline, and innovation has revitalized confidence in the government school system and renewed public trust.
Educationists and stakeholders believe that these sustained efforts by Ram Niwas Sharma, IAS, will further strengthen the foundation of government schools and gradually change public perception, encouraging parents to once again place faith in public education. The latest transfers and postings are expected to complement this reform-driven agenda and accelerate the journey towards excellence in school education across Jammu and Kashmir.