Baramulla: Only nine out of 32 students cleared the Class 12 board examinations at Government Girls Higher Secondary School in Old Town Baramulla this year, marking a dismal pass percentage of just 28.
These poor results stand in stark contrast to the high scores achieved by students from other government and private schools across the district—including those from remote and economically disadvantaged areas.
School authorities attributed the abysmal performance to chronic absenteeism and a lack of classroom engagement. “Despite our consistent efforts in delivering lectures, most students remained absent during regular classes, severely affecting their preparation,” said a faculty member.
The school, which has 14 sanctioned lecturer posts, is grappling with a shortage of teachers in four subjects —Education, Biotechnology, History, and Economics. Teachers claim they have been compensating by taking extra classes beyond their assigned subjects. “We stretch ourselves to cover for the gaps, but it’s pointless if students don’t attend,” another teacher lamented.
Compounding the issue, the school operates with just three functional classrooms. “The inadequate infrastructure hampers teaching. We urge authorities to expedite the construction to provide a better learning environment,” a senior staff member said.
Despite having qualified teachers, the school continues to struggle due to poor attendance and infrastructural deficiencies. The situation demands immediate intervention from education officials, parents, and the community to improve student participation, fill vacant teaching positions, and upgrade facilities to ensure better academic outcomes in the future.
