Pulwama: In one of the government run schools in a Pulwama village of South Kashmir, the administration forces students to labour instead of teaching them.
The Government Boys and Girls Higher Secondary School Rohomo in the southern district is undergoing some construction work and students – who come to school to study – are made to work during their study hours.
The Higher Secondary – established eight years ago – is in total mess. The principal of the School Shabir Ahmad Gilkar, says he is unaware about students being forced to labour. “I don’t know any such thing but I will investigate,” he told GNS.
Gilkar is handicapped and he often comes to the school in the afternoon at his own will, locals said.
A student told GNS that they were ordered by teachers to work. “When we argued by saying that this is not our work but of laborers, they didn’t pay any heed and ordered us to work,” a student said.
The construction work in the School is going on since last month.
The teachers in the school haven’t been transferred from four to five years, a local said.
The Sarpanch of Rohoma, Ali Muhammad Dar leveled serious allegations on the teaching staff of the school. “I was told by students that these lecturers click photos of girl students during morning prayers,” he alleged.
He said teachers also use cell phones during classes.
The Zonal Education Officer, Atta Muhammad Khan, told GNS: “This is worst Higher Secondary. They (School administration) are running school at their own will.”
He appealed: “please help us in getting things better.”
The Chief Education Officer, Farooq Ahmad, Pulwama, told GNS that he will investigate the matter. “Whosoever be found guilty, he will be punished,” he said.
The Director School of Education Kashmir, Tariq Ali Mir assured action against the guilty. He told GNS: “I will obtain report from the concerned Chief Educational Officer in this regard. We will take action against the guilty.” (GNS)