Jammu, Feb 19: Nearly 13,000 teaching positions are vacant across Jammu and Kashmir, creating pressure on government schools in both divisions. The School Education Department, Jammu and Kashmir informed the House that 12,977 posts remain unfilled.
Out of the total vacancies, 7,985 posts fall in Jammu division while 4,992 are in Kashmir division. Districts facing the highest shortage include Rajouri, Kathua, Jammu and Poonch in Jammu region, and Anantnag, Budgam, Pulwama and Kupwara in Kashmir.
Education Minister Sakeena Itoo stated in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly that no school has been upgraded since November 2024. She explained that upgradation requires proper infrastructure and creation of new posts, which need financial clearance.
The minister also acknowledged vacancies in promotional posts, including Masters and lecturers, and said the process to fill them through departmental promotion committees is underway. The government has initiated steps to de-freeze certain posts and speed up recruitment through the Public Service Commission and other agencies.
Officials said the prolonged staff shortage has affected academic functioning in several schools, especially in remote and border districts. Fresh recruitment and promotions are expected to ease the burden once approvals are completed.
