The Jammu and Kashmir Government has revealed that a total of 8,311 teaching positions remain vacant across the Union Territory, with 4,325 vacancies in Jammu division and 3,986 in Kashmir division.
Additionally, under the school rationalization scheme, the government has merged 4,358 schools, citing various factors such as proximity to other schools, lack of infrastructure, and low student enrollment. The move aims to optimize resources and deploy teachers where they are most needed.
School Mergers Across Districts
Education Minister Sakeena Itoo, while responding to a question in the Legislative Assembly, provided district-wise details of the merged schools.
Jammu Division:
A total of 1,274 schools were merged, with the highest numbers in:
- Jammu district: 354 schools
- Kathua: 238
- Samba: 125
- Doda: 113
- Poonch: 103
- Rajouri: 98
Kashmir Division:
A total of 3,084 schools were merged, with the highest numbers in:
- Baramulla: 638 schools
- Kupwara: 469
- Anantnag: 422
- Budgam: 353
- Bandipora: 289
The Minister explained that the rationalization process considered factors such as schools operating from rented buildings, zero or low student enrollment, and surplus teachers, who were then deployed as per actual district needs.
Teaching Vacancies in J&K
The government disclosed 8,311 teaching vacancies, distributed as follows:
Jammu Division:
- Teachers & Masters: 1,665
- Lecturers: 2,218
- Headmasters: 402
- Principals: 40
Kashmir Division:
- Teachers & Masters: 1,671
- Lecturers: 1,957
- Headmasters: 300
- Principals: 58
Degree Verification Process
On the issue of degree verification of teaching staff, the Minister stated that certificates are sent directly to concerned universities for validation.
In Jammu division, 7,721 files were reviewed, of which:
- 4,617 were verified and recommended for a one-time exemption
- 3,104 were found deficient due to missing documents
In Kashmir division, 5,750 files were reviewed, with:
- 4,253 verified and recommended for one-time exemption
- 1,497 found deficient
Only universities recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC), as per Government Order No. 940-Edu of 2017, are accepted for degree verification in J&K.
The government’s rationalization and recruitment plans aim to improve the education system by addressing teacher shortages and ensuring optimal use of resources.
