In response to a memorandum sent by Advocate Joginder Singh Thakur, Director school education has asked Chief Education Officer, Doda to take necessary action and report within a week’s time. The memorandum that was addressed to Director School Education Jammu, Dr. Jitendra Singh, MP Lok Sabha and MOS in Prime Minister’s Office, Principal Secretary Education and Lt. Governor’s Grievance Cell states that Government Higher secondary School Dessa had been upgraded from High School in year 2004 but it is understaffed till date. In 2004 and a couple of years post that, government used to appoint contractual lecturers in the school in question. Currently eighteen out of sanctioned 31 positions are vacant in the school. These include 9 lecturers, 4 masters, 1 physical education master, 2 teachers, 1 peon and 1 laboratory assistant. It is also stated that Jr. Assistant and Sr. Assistant positions are filled for name sake only.
Thakur has also stated that the school building is not enough for the current strength of the school. Last year strength was 450 students and currently it is 350 students after upgradation of a school in Mallan Dessa which is understaffed as well and only 3 teachers are posted. There rooms of the buildings in existence are not fit for sitting of students and hence, we can say that there is no adequate building infrastructure at HSS Gai Dessa. There is no separate room for laboratory at the school. Moreover, there is a motorable road in the building separating the blocks of the school in two islands and it is really difficult for the students to cross the road in order to attend the classes in case a class scheduled to be conducted in another block. Infrastructure is not at par with the requirements. Further, the High School block is damaged due to construction of road and higher secondary block is partially constructed. In addition to the lack of adequate buildings, it is stated that whatsoever the buildings are present in the school, there is no fencing around these and it is really difficult for the students to study with concentration and anyone can enter in and exit from the school making it very difficult to maintain an environment that is suitable for a school.
Thakur also alleged that there is no separate washroom/toilet for girl students. It is known to everyone that at a higher secondary school level, girls need an environment of privacy, at least in the washrooms and toilets but in the school in question, there is no such facility available. Moreover, the only washroom, that happens to be meant for boys must have water supply. In his memorandum addressed to Director School Education, Advocate Joginder Thakur has pointed out that out of the very less filled in positions in the school, many are attached at other schools in the cities. They draw their salaries from HSS Dessa account, but they are not actually attending their duty at the school in question. Advocate Thakur also said that that this school does not have any playground as the playground is encroached, may be allowed with the consent, to construct a motorable road and now students of this school do not have a playground.
It is worthwhile to mention here that after continuous follow-ups, Director School Education Jammu has asked the CEO Doda to take necessary action and intimate SSEJ and Lt. Governor’s Grievance cell within a week’s time.