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A total of 124 schools in Jammu and Kashmir have no students. This was revealed by the state Education Minister Naeem Akhtar in Legislative Council in Jammu today.
"There are 50 schools with zero per cent students in Jammu province while in Kashmir division, 74 schools have zero per cent students," Mr Akhtar said in reply to a question of the National Conference MLC Shahnaz Ganai.
She has pointed about deficiency of teachers in schools in rural areas as compared to urban areas.
The minister said the government will the fast track recruitment and "we are rationalising the process".
Mr Akhtar said during the last two years, 27 schools have been upgraded from primary to upper primary level under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan (SSA) and classes in all these schools have started.
The minister said in the current year, 40 schools have been upgraded but classes were yet to be started.
He said 468 middle schools and 332 high schools have been upgraded under the state plan without the approval from the Planning and Finance departments for creation of 5720 posts with financial implications of Rs 243.8 crore per annum.
Mr Akhtar said there are 95 government degree colleges functional in the state, out of which 23 were sanctioned during last five years.
He said government equipped these existing degree colleges with all necessary infrastructure facilities including buildings, laboratories and libraries to facilitate them to become fully functional.
With regard to opening of new degree colleges in left out areas, the minister said Higher Education Department has already constituted a committee to look into the feasibility or other parameters and to devise a mechanism for establishment of new degree colleges at uncovered places/areas of the State.
Mr Akhtar said the committee has submitted the feasibility report; however, an appropriate decision shall be taken in consultation with the Finance and Planning Departments subject to the availability of resources.