About 90% of the principal s in Uttarakhand’s government inter colleges have remained vacant for years, creating pressure on the academic and administrative functioning of government schools in Uttarkashi and elsewhere in the state.
The state has 1,385 sanctioned principal s in government inter colleges. Around 90% of these positions are vacant. Most headmaster s in high schools are also reportedly unfilled.
The vacancies are being linked to a decline in student numbers in government schools, along with the assignment of non-teaching duties to teachers. With permanent heads unavailable, teachers are handling administrative responsibilities while continuing their classroom work.
Teachers raise concerns over stalled promotions
Atol Singh Mahar, former district president of the Rajkiya Shikshak Sangh, said most headmaster and principal positions are intended to be filled through promotions. He said the promotion process has remained stalled for a long period.
Mahar said some teachers have served for 35 to 36 years in the same and retired without receiving a promotion. He also said teachers are being given administrative responsibilities without additional honorarium because permanent school heads are not available.
According to Mahar, these extra duties are affecting the teaching of the subjects assigned to those teachers. He said girl students are ultimately bearing the consequences of the disruption.
Dispute over responsibility for the delay
Cases related to the promotion process have been pending in court since 2010-12. However, Mahar pointed out that promotions continued until 2020-21 despite those cases.
He therefore argued that the court cases alone should not be held responsible for the absence of promotions after 2021. His statement places the focus on the government and education department’s responsibility to restart the process.
The issue affects both school management and classroom instruction. In the absence of regular headmasters and principals, teachers must divide their time between academic work and administrative tasks. The immediate demand is for the state government and education department to begin the promotion process.
Conclusion
The vacancy of around 90% of principal s in government inter colleges, along with unfilled headmaster positions in high schools, is placing additional administrative pressure on teachers and affecting teaching. Teachers are seeking the resumption of promotions by the government and education department.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How many principal s are there in Uttarakhand’s government inter colleges?
There are 1,385 principal s in the state’s government inter colleges.
Q. How many of these principal s are vacant?
Around 90% of the principal s have remained vacant for years.
Q. Are headmaster s also vacant?
Yes. Most headmaster s in government high schools are also reported to be unfilled.
Q. How are teachers affected by the vacancies?
Teachers are handling administrative responsibilities without additional honorarium, which is affecting the teaching of their assigned subjects.
Q. What did Atol Singh Mahar say about promotions?
He said most headmaster and principal s are meant to be filled through promotions and that the process has been stalled for a long period.
Q. When did promotions reportedly continue despite court cases?
Mahar said court cases had been pending since 2010-12, but promotions continued until 2020-21.
Q. What action are teachers seeking?
They are asking the government and education department to restart the promotion process.
