Clamour grows for search committee constitution

Srinagar, Oct 31: The two-year term of incumbent Chairman JK Board of School Education (BOSE) is nearing end with academicians urging the authorities to initiate the selection process for new chairman in advance.

The clamour for constitution of search committee is growing with less than three months remaining until his term expires.

The academicians have urged the National Conference led government that timely intervention would allow the new Chairman JKBOSE to be appointed in a timely manner and avoid the complications associated with temporary appointments or "unwanted" practice of offering extension to the incumbent.

The incumbent chairman Prof Parikshat Singh Manhas was appointed as the Chairman JKBOSE on January 25 of 2023 on deputation basis for a period of two years. As per the order, his appointment came into effect "from the date of the issuance of the notification of his appointment." As per set norms, the incumbent chairman will demit his office on January 25 of 2025.

As already reported by this newspaper, the School Education Department on April 24 of 2022 put the post of Chairman JKBOSE to advertisement following the constitution of a committee by the General Administration Department (GAD) for the appointment of the Chairman JK Board. As per the notification the upper age limit for candidates was fixed as 58 years, as per the set norms.

However, a separate notification was issued by the government in which the upper age limit for the aspirants was fixed as 56 years. This was for the first time that the upper age limit was reduced from 58 years to 56 years.

A top official informed Greater Kashmir that "Prior to 2020, the government would itself prepare a panel of eligible College and University Professors and then through a selection committee would select one. The upper age limit of 56 years has never been there. It was always 58 so that the person would have at least two years of service left so that he can complete the full term as Chairperson," the official said.

The official said that keeping option for JKAS and IAS officers eligible for the post of Chairman JKBOSE was not in the interest of the institution as well.

"JKBOSE needs a hardcore educationist who has a deep understanding of educational setup," the official said.

Another senior official told Greater Kashmir that as the term of Chairman JKBOSE nears end, it becomes unethical and unprofessional on their part to take policy decisions.

"The term of incumbent chairman expires during winter vacation in January and the time will be crucial as it will be a transition phase from one academic session to the next session. The winter vacation period is crucial for JKBOSE as it has to do a lot of exercise in terms of publication of textbooks and ensure their availability in schools on time," the official said. He said given the restoration of the November session in schools, the JKBOSE has to ensure availability of textbooks by February 2025.

The official said that the time was ripe for the constitution of a search committee as it takes another four to five months to appoint a new Chairman.

"It is better if the process to appoint a new Chairman for JKBOSE is initiated three months in advance so that the Board does not suffer on account of lack of decisions," the official told Greater Kashmir.

The academicians voiced their concern that delayed appointment of Chairman will not prove fruitful at all because the person who is given additional charge or made a temporary Chairman does not take any policy decisions which affects the functioning of the institution.

A top official in the SED told Greater Kashmir that the issue will be taken up with the higher ups and the selection process will be started as early as possible.