Srinagar: Director School Education Kashmir (DSEK) on Tuesday suspended more than half a dozen teachers for their unauthorised absence from schools during official hours.
An official told KNO that the DSEK, Muhammad Younis Malik accompanied by the concerned Zonal Education Officer (ZEO) conducted surprise visit of various schools in Srinagar area to interact with the students and the teaching staff. “But the teachers were found absent in three schools in Habbak area of Hazratbal,” an official said.
He said the schools were locked before the closing time as the teachers had left for their homes before the official timing fixed for closure of educational institutions. The DSEK from past months is on regular inspection of educational institutions particularly primary and middle schools.
“The inspection is conducted to meet the students and assess their learning levels and suggest measure to improve the student performance wherever needed,” an official told KNO. The official said an explanation was also sought from the teachers and heads of the schools for their illegal absence from their respective schools.
From past month, the department started an initiative- a day out with school children wherein the DSEK visits several schools and hold interaction with them and the teaching staff to get an first-hand account of the academic position in schools.
“Today’s visit was part of this initiative but unfortunately the teachers and schools heads had closed the schools,” an official told KNO. DSEK, Muhammad Younis Malik confirmed that over half a dozen teachers were suspended for being absent from schools.
“We understand some teachers had to reach to their native places on eve of Eid, but it is not justified that all the teachers will leave the schools before the official timing and lock it from outside,” he told KNO. He said the department cannot tolerate irresponsible behaviour of school staff particularly heads of the institutions.
“There will be action if teachers won’t take their job seriously. The students enrolled in government should be our priority and teachers should treat them as their own children,” he said.
