Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 08 Augus 2025
Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray, Member of Parliament from the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, has sounded a powerful alarm over what he describes as extreme administrative lapses within the Islands’ schooling system. In an in depth attraction addressed to Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi and Home Minister Mr. Amit Shah, the MP highlighted essential management vacancies and systemic neglect underneath the present Lt. Governor, Admiral (Retd.) D.Ok. Joshi.
According to Mr. Ray, greater than half of the government-run Secondary and Senior Secondary Schools within the Union Territory are working with out Principals, Vice Principals, or Headmasters. Out of almost 90 such faculties, 46 reportedly lack any faculty management, with some zones seeing a single Vice Principal overseeing a number of faculties — typically as much as three or 4. “Even eligible candidates are being overlooked due to sheer administrative apathy,” the MP acknowledged.
Key considerations raised embody:
• 39 out of 41 Secondary Schools (Class X) operate and not using a Headmaster or Vice Principal.
• No full-time Assistant Education Officers are posted in any schooling zone.
• Deputy Education Officer posts are being managed on an extra cost foundation.
• Leadership voids are widespread throughout South Andaman, Wimberlygunj, Little Andaman, Middle Andaman, Mayabunder, Diglipur, Car Nicobar, Nancowry, and Campbell Bay zones.
Mr. Ray additional referenced the just lately launched Performance Grading Index (PGI) 2.0 Report (2023–24) by the Ministry of Education, which ranks the Andaman & Nicobar Islands among the many backside three Union Territories. The report attributes the Islands’ low rating—categorized as “Aakaankshi–1” with solely 21–30% efficiency—to the evident absence of Principals and Headmasters. This management vacuum has reportedly compromised schooling high quality, particularly in tribal and distant areas.
The MP additionally disclosed that round 900 sanctioned posts inside the Education Department have been abolished lately as a result of administration’s failure to fill them inside stipulated timelines, violating service guidelines. These posts, together with Principals, clerks, drivers, and IT workers, have been later revived by means of the efforts of the previous Director of Education and a few native officers. Despite this, most key positions stay vacant.
Calling the scenario not merely a governance failure however an schooling disaster impacting hundreds of kids on this strategic Union Territory, Shri Bishnu Pada Ray demanded:
• An speedy inquiry into administrative failures underneath the Lt. Governor and the Education Department.
• Urgent recruitment drives to fill all vacant management and supporting workers positions.
• Accountability and disciplinary motion in opposition to accountable officers.
“This is an urgent matter requiring swift intervention to restore credibility and efficiency in our education system,” the MP asserted, urging the Prime Minister and Home Minister to take immediate corrective steps.
