Ajay Sharma
Rajouri, April 6
Months after the Directorate of School Education Jammu (DSEJ) issued a circular directing Heads of Institutions to submit details of all staff attachments and deployments via a Google Form — with clear instructions to certify no unauthorized deployments — many such attachments continue unabated, particularly in remote areas like Lower Hathal Zone.
The circular, dated around March 2025, emphasized streamlining administrative processes and efficient staff deployment.
“It required all Heads of Institutions under DSEJ to provide accurate information on staff attached or deployed to other institutions within or outside the School Education Department,” reads the order.
However, ground realities tell a different story. In Government High School (GHS) Barnara, located in the Lower Hathal Zone, two teachers have reportedly remained attached in Jammu — allegedly at the Directorate or AG office — for the past three to four years. Despite repeated complaints and media highlights, the March 2025 order appears to have had little to no effect on their return.
Locals highlighted that the school has been functioning without a regular Headmaster for months, with charge held by the Zonal Education Officer (ZEO).
“This double blow — absent teachers plus vacant leadership — has directly impacted students’ education,” said locals, adding that the education system of Jammu is the largest… but even after the order was issued, why was there no action? Why it was not implemented in letter and spirit, only the power that be knows?
Locals asserted that senior officers issue such orders, yet they often remain “mere formalities” filed away, while attachments persist due to directives from higher levels that junior officers cannot override.
Political pressure has also been alleged by sources, with some leaders reportedly intervening to protect certain attachments.
This is not an isolated case. “Attachments of teaching staff to non-teaching roles or offices have long been a practice in J&K’s School Education Department, which is frequently accused of understaffing schools, declining enrolment in government institutions, and the rise in private academies,” said locals, adding that the impact is visible on children, wherein government school strength decreases every year and private coaching centers see increasing admissions.
Locals have requested Deputy Commissioner Rajouri, Abhishek Sharma, to intervene and bring the teachers back and safeguard children’s futures.
Locals questioned, if these teachers are capable, why are they not teaching in their parent school? Why should attachments continue even after clear orders from the Director? The future of students in government schools depends on ending such practices.
