Government schools in Uttarakhand are facing a severe administrative crisis, with 90 percent of principal posts and 93 percent of headmaster posts lying vacant. The shortage has significantly increased the workload on serving officials, many of whom are handling multiple responsibilities simultaneously. With 14 senior officers, including two directors, set to retire this year, the situation is expected to worsen.
In government inter colleges across the state, 1,250 out of 1,385 sanctioned principal posts are vacant. Similarly, in government high schools, 850 out of 910 headmaster positions remain unfilled. The prolonged vacancies have raised concerns about academic supervision, administrative efficiency and policy implementation at the school level.
The shortage extends to senior administrative ranks. Additional Director (Garhwal) Kanchan Devrari is currently holding charge of Additional Director Secondary Education as well as Additional Director Basic Education. In Kumaon division, Gajendra Singh Saun is managing the responsibilities of Additional Director Secondary Education along with Additional Director Basic Education.
Additional Director Padmendra Saklani is handling three portfolios simultaneously — Additional Director Elementary Education, Additional Director SCERT and Additional Director Education Directorate. Chief Education Officer (CEO) posts are also vacant in Chamoli, Rudraprayag and Udham Singh Nagar, where junior officers have been given additional charge.
The department is also set to witness a series of retirements this year. Director Elementary Education Ajay Naudiyal is retiring this month. Director Secondary Education Dr Mukul Kumar Sati will retire in June. Additional Director (Garhwal) Kanchan Devrari is scheduled to retire in April, while Additional Director (Kumaon) Gajendra Singh Saun will retire in November.
Other officers retiring this year include Deputy Director Mehrban Singh Bisht in May, BEO Harsh Bahadur Chand in March, Deputy Director Kunwar Singh Rawat in December, Atresh Sayana in November, Hawaldar Prasad in July, Naresh Kumar in June, Vijaypal Singh and Chandan Singh Bisht in October, and Prakash Singh Jangpangi in June.
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The high vacancy rate at leadership levels raises serious questions about succession planning and recruitment mechanisms within the Education Department. Without timely appointments, administrative gaps could further impact governance and learning outcomes in state-run schools.
