DSEK fails to streamline cadre strength of masters
Srinagar: The school education department has failed to streamline the cadre strength of masters in schools across the valley from past more than three years now. The move has caused inconveniences to the masters transferred from their home districts to other districts after their promotion some years ago.
An official said the department had decided to complete the reshuffle of teachers, masters and lecturers last year and shift back the masters to their home districts who have completed their tenure in outside home districts after their promotion from teacher to master grade by the department.
“But the department is facing hiccups to streamline the reshuffle given the irrational adjustment of teaching staff in districts. All are eyeing for local posting after their transfer to their home districts,” an official said who wished to remain anonymous.
The Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) in February last year issued transfer order of 53 in-charge masters from Kupwara to Baramulla district and vice versa. However, the order was kept in abeyance on the same day by the directorate.
“Sanction is hereby accorded to the transfer of masters of district Kupwara to Baramulla with immediate effect,” the order reads. As per the order, the masters were deemed to have been relieved from their postings and report to Chief Education Office (CEO) Baramulla for further posting and adjustment.
But the order was followed by another order which was issued on the same day to keep the previous order in abeyance.
“The order number 232 and 233 of 2018 issued under endorsement number estt-III/A/Tr/1635 and 1634 dated February 24 is hereby kept in abeyance till further orders.”
Meanwhile, the in-charge 53 masters of Kupwara whose transfer order has been kept in abeyance said they were facing huge inconvenience due to department’s failure to streamline the cadre strength in districts.
“We were transferred from Baramulla to Kupwara as in-charge masters in 2013 and as per rules we were supposed to be shifted back to home district after two years,” a group of masters complained.
“Later we were granted confirmation but were not shifted back till date,” they said.
The masters said most of them were posted as head teachers in Upper Primary Schools Schools (UPS) after their transfer to Kupwara however, the adjustment delayed in release of their salary as well.
“The department releases salary of head teachers under sarva shiksha abhiyan (SSA) scheme and our salary is pending for past many months like SSA teachers. They changed pattern of release of our salary which has caused inconveniences to us,” they said.
Director School Education Kashmir (DSEK) G N Itoo when contacted said the department is consolidating details of the vacant posts in the home district of these masters which will be followed by their transfers as well.
“We were working out cadre sanction of all districts and want to provide replacement for every post in schools. It is a bit lengthy process and will take some time to reshuffle the masters,” he said.
KV Correspondent
