CAMPUS ROUNDUP: Schools reopen with new session amid textbook row
The week in Kashmir’s education sector was a blend of excitement and concern — schools across the Valley reopened with fresh energy for the new academic session, even as a controversy brewed over overpriced textbooks prescribed by private institutions. Alongside, Kashmiri students continued to bring laurels in sports, and NIT Srinagar launched a training initiative to boost rural entrepreneurship through technology.
New Academic Session Begins; Parents Angered Over Textbook Prices
Schools across Kashmir reopened last week after a brief winter break following the Term-II examinations. Campuses were once again filled with the cheerful sounds of students returning to classrooms, from lower primary to secondary levels.
The reopening week was marked by the distribution of report cards, Parent-Teacher Meetings (PTMs), and orientation sessions for newly enrolled students, especially kindergartners, aimed at ensuring a smooth transition to the new academic year.
Private schools organised special orientation programmes for parents of new students to familiarise them with school routines, classroom methodologies, and the importance of home–school collaboration in early learning. Teachers in government schools, on the other hand, were seen visiting homes to encourage parents to enrol their children in public institutions.
However, the start of the session was overshadowed by widespread complaints over overpriced textbooks prescribed by private schools. Parents alleged that several schools compelled them to buy costly books from select vendors, violating government advisories.
“Every year we face the same issue — private schools force us to purchase books at inflated rates. Despite multiple complaints, no action has been taken,” said Bilal Ahmad, a parent from Srinagar.
Teachers in government schools were seen distributing used textbooks to students due to delays in the supply of new books, while the Education Department has yet to streamline the distribution process.
GVEI Student Wins Three Medals in State Skating Championship
Amid the policy debates, a young student from Kashmir brought pride to the Valley with her sporting achievements. Hooriya Showkat, a Class 6 student of Green Valley Educational Institute (GVEI), bagged three medals at the J&K UT State Speed Skating Championship held at M.A. Stadium, Jammu.
She won medals in the 500m, 1000m, and 1500m categories, showcasing both endurance and technique. Her performance earned her selection for the 63rd National Skating Championship, scheduled to be held in Andhra Pradesh later this year.
“Her outstanding achievement is a moment of pride for the entire GVEI family,” said Mohammad Yousuf Wani, Chairman of the institute. “We wish her continued success at the national level and hope she inspires other students to excel beyond academics.”
The institute organised a felicitation ceremony to honour Hooriya’s performance, encouraging students to actively pursue sports alongside their studies.
NIT Srinagar Empowers Rural Youth, Women Through Technology Training
In higher education, the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar conducted a Technology Transfer Training Programme at Faquir Gujri, Srinagar, aimed at equipping rural youth and women with modern food processing skills.
The initiative, titled “Technology Transfer for Development of Functional Foods Using Natural Plant Extracts in Encapsulated Form,” has been sanctioned to Prof. M.A. Shah and Dr. Mudasir Ahmad by the National Coordinating Institution, IIT Delhi, under the SEG – Rural Livelihood and Entrepreneurship Development programme.
The training introduced participants to scientifically designed, easy-to-adopt techniques for preparing nutritious beverages, jams, and sauces using locally available fruits and vegetables and plant-derived natural preservatives.
“The goal is to make rural communities self-reliant by bridging science with traditional knowledge,” said Prof. Shah. “We want to empower people, especially women, to use technology for generating sustainable livelihoods.”
Participants appreciated the programme, calling it a “hands-on exposure” to new skills that could help in starting small-scale businesses.
