Taking strong note of the unauthorized ’ absence, as many as six teachers have been suspended at the UPS Keran Bala in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, after they were found to be absent without authorization for the past 10 days.
According to local residents, “the teachers had reportedly informed locals that the school had been closed due to unfavorable weather conditions, but local inhabitants have alleged that this was simply a smokescreen to cover up their unauthorized absence.”
An order issued by ZEO Kralpora reads, “As per inputs received from different quarters and higher UPS, the below-mentioned teaching officials of UPS Keran Bala have unauthorizedly remained absent from their legitimate duties for one week.”
Pending an enquiry into the matter, the below-mentioned teaching officials are placed under suspension with immediate effect and are attached to the same school till further orders, reads the order.”
Residents said the teachers had actually closed down the school themselves, adding that they had put in place two dummy teachers to deceive the students and their parents. The locals also claimed that the teachers posted at this school had been enjoying their duty time in Kupwara while the dummy teachers were being paid between three and four thousand rupees on a monthly basis.
This has led to widespread outrage in the border locality, with many calling for action to be taken against these teachers. The locals have also alleged that this practice of using dummy teachers is widespread in the Keran area and have sought the attention of higher authorities to investigate the matter and take appropriate action.
Speaking on the issue, a local resident said, “This is a serious matter, and we demand that the authorities take strict action against the erring teachers. It is not fair that they should be paid for work they haven’t done while the students suffer as a result of their absence. We also want the authorities to investigate this issue further, as it seems that this practice is not limited to just one school in the area.”
Meanwhile, the district education officer has assured that strict action will be taken against the suspended teachers and that a thorough investigation into the matter will be conducted.
Speaking to Rising Kashmir, CEO Kupwara Abdul Hamid Fani said that since the opening of schools this year, they haven’t received any reports of a staff dearth in the area, and the top district officials are touring the area regularly.
In response to a query, the senior officer said as of now they haven’t received reports of dummy teachers being put in place. However, he said that a committee would be formed to check the credentials of the people’s claims.
