Sarpanch alleges inadequate infrastructure, poor academic standard in govt primary/middle schools

GNSONLINE RAJOURI
SHYAM SOOD

RAJOURI,:–Most of the people’s representatives, especially the members of Panchayats including Sarpanches, arve of the view that besides inadequate infrastructure & the poor condition of school buildings the standard of education in middle and primary schools in Kotranka Education Zone in Rajouri district is very below the standard.
Large number of such schools in this zone are situated on tough terrains, and remote areas, and many dedicated teachers, especially women, cover long distances on foot to reach the schools.
But, Farooq Inqalabi, Sarpanch Kewal Panchayat alleged that taking advantages of remote areas, many schools remain closed for days in a month because concerned teachers in nexus with authorities (senior officers) remain in their homes.
The worst sufferers are the students of marginal & poor families whose parents can’t afford the expenses of their children in private institutions.
“Barring dedicated teachers, others instead of being concerned about the future of poor children, are focused on their own children studying in expensive schools in the state & outside the state,” said Farooq.
“Many times higher authorities, including Secretary Education J&K, Director Education, Jammu, Divisional Commissioner, DDC & CEO Rajouri were contacted about such practices, but no stringent action has been seen on the ground yet against such erring teachers” he added.
After several complaints about the frequent closure of the primary school at Palwarkass in Kewal Panchayat, Farooq Inqalabi sarpanch visited the school at 9.40 am on August 27 and found it locked while the children were waiting for the teachers outside the locked classrooms.
Farooq made a video and made it viral on the social media platform and also informed Deputy Commissioner Rajouri & concerned officers.
Farooq Inqalabi alleged that when he contacted the ZEO, Kotranka about the matter of locked school, instead taking any action against the erring teachers ZEO threatened him of dire consequences.
“For the safety of my life I moved an application at Budhal police station after the alleged threats. But to my surprise, ZEO also reached the police station and lodged counter-complaint against me and again threatened me in the presence of a police eofficer” Farooq said.
Instead of taking steps in improving the standard of education/ infrastructure in the government schools in this zone, many teachers, PRIs, people, etc after this episode have engaged themselves in allegations/counter allegations against each other.
Teachers of the zone are also claimiing that they perform their duties with dedication and regularly and are unnecessarily dragged in such allegations.
Farooq Inqalabi in a press briefing on Sunday has appealed to higher authorities to intervene in this matter and take appropriate action so that the poor children of this zone may not suffer any more.
He also demanded a detailed investigation by an independent/partial committee into all the allegations, including unauthorised attachments of the teachers by ZEO, is checking of functioning in the schools by PRIs llegal/unauthorised; and misuse of funds, so that the truth can be brought to the fore.
How higher authorities react to the allegations/demands made by Farooq Inqalabi in the press briefing, would be clear within days to come?