Residents of Bangidar Tral decry teacher shortage, urge swift government response

BASHARAT RASHID

Tral (Pulwama), May 6: The residents of Gutroo village Bangidar, Tral, have expressed grave concern over the critical shortage of teachers at the Government Primary School, which they claim is critically affecting the education of local students.

Two teachers are only currently responsible for 81 registered students, forming what villagers term as an “unmanageable and unacceptable” learning environment. The problem has drawn widespread attention from parents and other locals, who are urging the Department of Education to step in and solve the issue urgently.

Three permanent teachers made up the initial teaching staff at the school, as told by a member of the Village Committee (VC). But one was reassigned and has not been replaced permanently since then. The committee claims that even though teacher continues to receive his salary from Bangidar school, he has been posted elsewhere, denying the village an essential teaching resource.

“They provide us with one temporary teacher for ten days and take them away. What benefit does that bring to our children?” asked a villager, venting the growing anxiety about the absence of permanent staff.

The villagers have urged the immediate hiring of permanent teachers and the restoration of the transferred teacher to school.