Till respect for teachers is restored, edu sector won’t improve: Bukhari

Amir Karim Tantray

Tribune News Service

Jammu, February 22

Minister for Education Syed Altaf Bukhari said his focus to strengthen the education system would be set on his new priorities while the laudable standards set by his predecessor Naeem Akhter would not be brought down at all.

“But wherever fineness is required, it will be done,” he said.

Talking to The Tribune after taking over the Education Department, Altaf Bukhari said presently he was in the phase of orientation. He believes that unlike other departments, one can’t show results in the Education Department in a week or a month.

“I am hopeful that in 8-10 days, I will be acquainted with the main issues confronting the school Education Department. Then I will start addressing them one by one. I have set an outer limitof 90 days to see and resolve all these issues. After that if I feel that some issues haven’t been addressed, we will have to bear them,” the Education Minister said.

“It requires time to produce results. My predecessor has set some good precedents and I will continue to follow those,” the Education Minister added.

Bukhari was inducted into the J&K Council of Ministers on February 17, after remaining out since Mehbooba Mufti took over as Chief Minister. Bukhari had served as the PWD Minister in the Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s government from March 1, 2015, to January 7, 2016.

Bukhari never hesitated in speaking on controversial issues which cropped in the department since the time of the previous National Conference-Congress government. For instance, the Omar Abdullah-led government allowed the transfer of Rehbar-e-Taleem (ReT) teachers, but Bukhari stood against the basic essence of the policy.

“I will strictly follow the rule book. There will be no deviation. My predecessor has set good precedents. Why should I not follow those? Of course, if improvement is needed, we will do that,” he said, adding, “At the same time, teachers’ respect will be restored. We would not like to get trap into issues like writing an essay on ‘cow’. I will be liberal in addressing small issues of teachers, if any, and restore their respect.”

“Till their respect is not restored, education sector can’t improve,” Bukhari added.

Saying that his entire focus would remain on the development of child, the Education Minister said, “Teacher is an important part of that plan. If they are not comfortable, they will not be able to deliver as per my plan. We will also see that they are made comfortable. Having said so, no indiscipline will be tolerated. We cater to 20 per cent of the population, but that is 100 per cent of future. My focus will also be to make the teaching fraternity understand that their role is not only to teach, but they are community leaders. They have to be the developer of a child.”

Commenting on shortage of staff in the Higher Education Department, he said recruitments were already being done on a fast-track basis and wherever the posts remain vacant, they will be filled on contractual basis and on academic arrangement. “It is completely a stopgap arrangement and it shouldn’t be taken as a government job. They should make it clear that in any case, they are not government employees,” he added.

Meanwhile, Bukhari made it clear that he would not tolerate corruption or favouritism in higher and school Education Departments. “There will be zero tolerance of any form corruption,” he added.

The Education Minister also called for suggestions from the public for improving the department.