Raises Key Issues In Education & Health Sectors
Diplomat Desk
Jammu, DD: A delegation led by Sunil Verma, District President J&K National Conference (NC), Udhampur, met Health and Education Minister Sakina Itoo at the Civil Secretariat in Jammu today and submitted a memorandum highlighting critical issues plaguing the education and health sectors in the region.
During the meeting, Sunil Verma apprised the minister of the challenges faced by headmasters, teachers, and students due to administrative inefficiencies and staff shortages. He strongly emphasized the urgent need to fill vacancies for teachers, headmasters, Zonal Education Officers (ZEOs), and principals across various educational institutions, stating that the lack of faculty was severely hampering the quality of education.
The NC leader further pointed out the disparity in the pupil-teacher ratio, where some schools are grappling with severe teacher shortages despite high student enrollments, whereas others have an excess staff presence without optimal utilization. Additionally, the delegation raised serious concerns over a large number of schools with zero enrollments that have remained operational for over four to five years without justification. They urged the government to either close such institutions or redeploy the teaching staff to areas where their presence is critically needed.
Turning attention to the health sector, Sunil Verma highlighted the dire situation in Panchod Panchayat, Latti, where a non-functional health center has left the local population struggling for basic medical facilities. He stressed the immediate need to operationalize the center and deploy dedicated healthcare officials to cater to the healthcare needs of the people.
Reiterating the NC’s commitment to the welfare of the people, Sunil Verma asserted that the Omar Abdullah-led government remains steadfast in ensuring that the education and healthcare sectors are strengthened for the greater good of the region.
Minister Sakina Itoo gave a patient hearing to the delegation’s concerns and assured them that the government would take necessary measures to address the highlighted issues at the earliest.DD
