Only 3 female teachers managing 136 students
6 teachers attached to other institutions, leaving students deprived
Newly constructed two-room building locked by contractor for unpaid dues.
No functional toilet for students; Mid-Day Meal scheme neglected
Shyam Sood
Rajouri, April 2: In a blatant violation of educational norms, six out of nine teachers posted at Government Boys Middle School (GBM) Budhal, including the head of the institution, have been attached to other schools for several months.
Currently, only three female teachers are managing 136 students, severely impacting the quality of education. Even more alarming is the lack of infrastructure—only one classroom is available, forcing many students to study in the open.
Adding to the crisis, a newly constructed two-room school building remains locked by the contractor due to non-payment of dues, further worsening the plight of students. Shockingly, there is no functional toilet for the children.
Despite claims by the National Conference (NC) government about improving educational infrastructure, the teacher-student ratio at GBM School Budhal stands at a shocking 1:45, making effective teaching nearly impossible.
Prominent social activist Manzoor Naik, who visited the school along with his team on Wednesday, strongly condemned the NC government and its School Education Minister for their gross negligence.
Speaking on the attachment of six teachers to other institutions, Naik stated:
“This blatant violation of norms has left students struggling for quality education, exposing the administration’s failure to ensure accountability.”
Highlighting the dire infrastructure conditions, he pointed out that out of eight classes, only one has a proper classroom, while the rest of the students are left studying under the open sky. Furthermore, Naik raised serious concerns over the absence of a designated Mid-Day Meal in-charge, revealing that no meal was served to the students even on the day of his visit, depriving them of their rightful nutritional support. Despite repeated pleas from parents and locals, both the Chief Education Officer (CEO) Rajouri and the Zonal Education Officer (ZEO) Koteranka have remained unresponsive, reflecting complete administrative failure, he added.
Expressing deep concern, Manzoor Naik warned authorities that if the illegal teacher attachments were not revoked within a week, they would be left with no choice but to lock the school and take to the streets in protest.
“The education of our children is being compromised due to corrupt practices and administrative negligence. We will not remain silent spectators while the future of our students is at stake,” Naik asserted.
Several other social workers accompanied Manzoor Naik, including Mohd Maneer Mughal, Mohd Shabir Aflatoon, Munshi Khan, Manzoor Malik, Rafiq Rathal, and Mohd Hanief. Condemning the NC government’s negligence, Mohd Maneer Mughal stated:
“It is the fundamental right of students to receive education under Article 21A, and we will ensure its implementation in letter and spirit. The authorities cannot be allowed to rob our children of their future through negligence and corruption.”
The situation at GBM School Budhal highlights the urgent need for immediate intervention to restore normalcy and safeguard the students’ right to education.
