In Karnal, 54% govt schools without heads

Parveen Arora

Tribune News Service

Karnal, April 2

Amid claims of the state government about providing excellent education in its schools, nearly 54 per cent of the schools in Karnal district are functioning without principals or headmasters. As many as 95 higher and senior secondary schools in the district are without heads.

Of the 176 posts of principals or headmasters sanctioned in the district, only 81 are filled. In the absence of heads, senior-most teachers have been given additional charge. In addition to holding classes, they have to look after administrative work and education-related policies of the government, hampering the study of students, said sources. The in-charge has to visit district headquarters too for administrative work.

In Karnal, the maximum vacancies are in Assandh block, where 27 of the 30 sanctioned posts are yet to be filled.

Teachers’ associations want the government to promote senior teachers to meet the shortfall. Ajit Chandeliya, press secretary of the Haryana School Lecturers Association, said the government must appoint regular heads as studies suffer when teachers are given additional charge.

Deepak Goswami, convener, Rajkiya Prathmik Shikshak Sangh, Haryana, said only regular principals and headmasters could lead the team efficiently as they were not burdened with teaching duties. District Education Officer Rajpal said in the absence of regular heads, teachers were given the charge to look after the school. “The department fills posts as per availability.”