SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir government is actively considering de-freezing teacher posts to tackle the persistent shortage of teaching staff in schools across the Union Territory, Education Minister Sakeena Itoo informed the Legislative Assembly on Monday.
Replying to a question by legislator Pawan Kumar Gupta, the Minister said that the recruitment of teacher posts had been frozen following a 2018 decision by the State Administrative Council. She added that the government is now working to expedite fresh recruitment in the department.
Itoo stated that 594 lecturer posts across 27 disciplines have been referred to the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC), while 727 non-teaching posts and 43 MTS positions have been sent to the Finance Department for revival and concurrence.
She explained that the freeze on teacher vacancies was linked to the transition of RRETs and Teacher Grade II/III, aimed at resolving salary issues of teachers engaged under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA).
Highlighting administrative reforms, the Minister said that in 2025–26, 258 Senior Lecturers were elevated as in-charge Principals, 56 PG Masters/Teachers as in-charge Lecturers, and 551 PG Masters/Teachers as in-charge Headmasters. A proposal for placement of over 500 additional Masters as Headmasters is under departmental consideration.
She further noted that 80 Headmasters were elevated as in-charge Zonal Education Officers, while 1,170 teachers in the non-gazetted cadre were promoted as Masters during 2025–26.
Regarding Udhampur district, Itoo said that 42 of 43 Principal posts, eight of 11 ZEO positions, and 243 of 538 lecturer posts have been filled. The engagement of Cluster Resource Coordinators (CRCs) and rationalisation of staff is underway to address staffing gaps in schools across JK.
The Minister also highlighted that the pupil-teacher ratio in Udhampur West schools is 1:16, indicating sufficient staffing relative to enrolment. She added that subject-specific teachers, CRCs, and online classes are being arranged to enhance academic quality.
Itoo attributed the improved performance of Jammu Division students in the 10th and 12th board examinations to these government initiatives, noting that results have surpassed those of previous years.
Legislator Ranbir Singh Pathania raised supplementary questions during the session.
