Autumn Session 2026 - Question Hour - Schools with higher PTR being addressed through ongoing rationalisation process: Sakeena Itoo

SRINAGAR: Minister for Education, Sakeena Itoo today informed the J&K Legislative Assembly that the issue of maintaining the Pupil-Teacher Ratio is being addressed by providing additional staff  to understaffed schools through rationalisation across J&K, including those in Uri constituency.

Replying to a question raised by MLA Uri Sajjad Shafi during Question Hour of the ongoing Autumn Session of the Legislative Assembly, the Minister said the staffing requirements of schools with relatively higher PTR are being addressed through the ongoing rationalisation process.

She said that only 10 out of 375 government schools in Uri constituency have a Pupil-Teacher Ratio (PTR) of more than 40, while steps are underway to address staffing requirements in these schools through rationalisation and judicious deployment of available teaching resources

Sakeena Itoo said applications from eligible teachers have already been invited under the Annual Transfer Drive (ATD)-2026, and these applications will be considered with due regard to the staffing requirements of schools having relatively higher pupil-teacher loads, wherever warranted.

The Minister further informed the House that 22 Laboratory Assistants have recently been promoted as Teachers, of whom eight have been adjusted in Uri constituency. In addition, five Masters have been transferred to Uri constituency to supplement the existing teaching arrangements, particularly in schools where the pupil-teacher load is relatively higher.

Sakeena Itoo added that the rationalisation exercise for the current academic year has already been initiated and the staffing requirements of individual schools will be duly considered as part of the exercise to ensure a more balanced distribution of teaching personnel. 12.89 lakh farmers covered under PMFBY; 3.72 lakh claims amounting to ₹221.71 crore registered