SRINAGAR (KASHMIR): Mushtaq Ahmad Mir, a teacher from Konan, Bandipora, joined the education department as a Rehbar-e-Taleem (ReT) educator at Boys Middle School Konan in 2005. He was recently promoted to the post of Master and assigned to High School Kudara.
According to locals and students, he attended the school for only five minutes before leaving for the Chief Education Officer’s office. Since then, he has not reported back.
In November 2024, the Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) issued an order asking four teaching officials, including Mushtaq Ahmad Mir, to return to their original postings.
Mir, originally posted at Middle School Konan, had been working in the Chief Education Officer’s office in Bandipora for several years. The DSEK directed these officials to report back to their designated schools.
Mushtaq Ahmad Mir’s attendance and posting status remain unclear, raising questions about oversight and accountability in the department.
Records show that Mir was appointed as a Rehbar-e-Taleem educator on September 22, 2005. Sources say he did not attend school regularly and had been serving in the CEO’s office instead.
On November 22, 2024, DSEK issued Order No. DSEK/Estt-II/TS/2342/24/3625-24, instructing Mir and four others to return to their original posts. On February 3, 2025, he was promoted to Master along with 29 others from Bandipora under Order No. 26(DSEK) OF 2025 and posted to High School Kudara.
However, reports suggest he left the school shortly after receiving a call from the CEO’s office and has not returned since.
This has raised concerns over how such postings and promotions are being managed.
Abdullah Paswal, a tribal social activist, raised the issue of teacher shortages in tribal schools. He said many schools do not have enough teachers or resources, which affects students’ access to education.
Paswal pointed out that High School Kudara has only five teachers for around 300 students, resulting in a pupil-teacher ratio of 60:1.
A student from Kudara said, “We don’t understand why teachers neglect us; we have the same right to education as other children in India.”
A parent added, “They have left our children in darkness; may their children shine with a bright future.”
MLA Bandipora, Nizamuddin Bhat, said many directives from the DSEK are not implemented at the district level. He said he is aware of the situation at High School Kudara and will take steps to address it.
