Bemina school staff suspended for ‘callousness’

Rifat Mohidin 

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, March 25

The Directorate of School Education, Kashmir, on Friday suspended the entire staff of Government High School in Bemina for failing to perform their duties.

During a routine visit to the school by Education Department officials this morning the teaching staff was found resting in the staff room even as more than 100 students were sitting idle. The school has a total of 110 students.

“We found children sitting idle. The teachers had abandoned the classes. Learning levels were very poor,” said Director of School Education, Kashmir, Shah Faesal.

He said no student in Class V could read the first paragraph of the first chapter of their English textbook, which highlighted the callousness of the teaching staff.

“It is for this callousness and apathy that the teaching staff has been suspended,” Faesal added.

Officials maintained that the school was found in very dirty condition and garbage was littered all around. 

“We found it be one of the dirtiest schools in Kashmir with garbage littered all over. All the 10 classes were vacant and teachers were sitting in the staff room. Class IV and V students could not even write 25 divided by four, leave apart solving it,” said an official.

Officials said at a time when the department was trying to bring reforms in all he educational institutions across Kashmir, some teachers continue to be callous and take their duties lightly.

“My heart cried. I refuse to believe that at a time when we are talking so much about reforms, teachers continue to be this indifferent and callous. Is the Education Department only for teachers, for transfers and postings, for salaries and promotions? Is our conscience dead, is there no shame left in us,” said another official.

The department from the last few months has been taking different measures to reform the education system and bring accountability among the teachers. 

After today’s, officials said strict action would be taken against people who take their duty for granted.