Srinagar, Feb 18: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Wednesday said that a total of 3,784 posts are currently vacant in the teaching staff category, including 2,525 posts of Lecturers and 1,259 posts of Masters.
Replying to a question in the Legislative Assembly raised by MLA Pirzada Farooq Ahmed Shah, the Minister in charge of School Education said there are no vacancies under the direct recruitment quota in the Teacher category, as such posts have been frozen till 2030 to facilitate the absorption of regularised RETs/RRETs.
The minister informed the House that 594 lecturer vacancies across various disciplines have been referred to the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC) for recruitment.
In order to address the shortfall, the department has initiated the process of placing eligible Masters and Teachers as In-charge Lecturers in different disciplines. “So far, 48 Teachers/Masters have been elevated as In-charge Lecturers in January 2026 in the discipline of Geography. Elevation in other disciplines is in the pipeline and will be completed in a time-bound manner,” the Minister said.
The education minister added that deficiencies in the Master cadre, whenever identified, would be addressed through promotions in accordance with prescribed norms.
Highlighting steps taken to improve the quality of education, particularly in border areas, the minister said the School Education Department has undertaken several initiatives aimed at enhancing educational standards across the Union Territory.
These initiatives include provision of high-quality, equitable and inclusive education; improvement of infrastructure in terms of adequacy, functionality, aesthetics and safety; strengthening of human resources and school leadership; effective management and governance; ensuring beneficiary satisfaction; and reforms in curriculum, pedagogy and assessment with emphasis on inclusive practices and gender equity.
Under the PM SHRI Schools Scheme, nine schools in Jammu and Kashmir have been developed as exemplary institutions, including two Senior Secondary Schools and one Middle School.
Additionally, the Directorate of Samagra Shiksha, J&K, has framed a comprehensive proposal to upgrade facilities in border area schools under the Vibrant Village Programme on the pattern of the PM SHRI Scheme.
The minister clarified that there is currently no proposal before the Government for the upgradation of schools to their next higher level from Primary to Middle, Middle to High, or High to Higher Secondary.
The minister explained that the department is presently focusing on strengthening existing schools by creating necessary infrastructure and providing adequate staff, especially in recently upgraded institutions.
The minister said that the upgradation of schools involves significant financial implications, including infrastructure development and creation of teaching as well as non-teaching posts, and requires concurrence from the Finance Department.
“However, as and when such a proposal is mooted, upgradation will be considered strictly as per feasibility reports, existing norms and urgent requirements wherever critically needed,” the minister assured the House.
Arif Rashid
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