Exam Form Row | SED’s directive evokes criticism

Srinagar, Dec 15: The J&K School Education Department (SED) has come under severe criticism from political leaders for its decision to bar students from private schools established on the State land from appearing in the upcoming annual board exams in 2024.

The controversy revolves around the SED’s refusal to release the Renewal and Registration of these schools, leaving thousands of students in limbo.

In the wake of this, the political leaders from various political parties have slammed the SED and J&K Board of School Education (BOSE) over their denial and sought the personal intervention of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to ensure that students from these schools participate in the upcoming board examinations.

Greater Kashmir in its December 15 edition reported about the issue and highlighted the plight of thousands of students who have been barred from appearing in the class 10th board examination.

There has been a hue and cry as the SED and BOSE are refusing to release the RR of these schools in violation of the J&K High Court’s orders.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti expressed her resentment over the move and said that the decision to not accept the forms of these students seems “intentional to jeopardise the future of countless students”.

“Deeply troubled by the BOSE’s refusal to accept class 10th exam forms from students in private schools established on the State land. Disregarding a High Court direction raises serious questions about fairness and their motives. It seems intentional to jeopardise the future of countless students,” Mehbooba posted on X.

Talking to Greater Kashmir, Apni Party President Altaf Bukhari voiced strong resentment over the denial by BOSE to accept the forms of class 10th students noting that the future of approximately 2 lakh students enrolled in private educational institutions established on the state land hangs in the balance.

Bukhari said that the BOSE should promptly accept examination forms from 10th grade students enrolled in these private institutions.

“Jeopardising the academic prospects of such a significant number of students is totally unacceptable. At this juncture, we should not put the future of two lakh students at stake,” he said.

Bukhari said that the students should be allowed to appear in exams, and later, the government could amicably decide about the fate of these private schools.

“I urge LG Manoj Sinha to personally intervene in the matter considering the urgency in safeguarding the career of lakhs of students,” he said.

Talking to Greater Kashmir, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s J&K President Ravinder Raina said that the matter needed to be looked at with great seriousness, as it involves the issue of children’s future.

“The number of children is significant, and if this issue is not addressed properly, the future of a large number of children will be at risk and will become very difficult,” Raina said.

He said that the children were not at fault in this matter and they should not be kept in a limbo by not accepting their examination forms in this manner.

“I will speak to the LG and request him to give directions to accept examination forms of children this time, and permission should be granted for them to sit in the exams. Furthermore, we should find an amicable solution to this issue,” Raina said.

He said if government schools were providing education to children, private schools were also contributing to education.

“If all private schools are shut, it will be challenging to provide education to so many children in the government system,” Raina said.

He said that the government should formulate a policy for private schools and they should be assisted in their registration so that they feel secure.

Senior CPI (M) leader Muhammad Yusuf Tarigami said the decision of BOSE about not accepting examination forms from schools established on State land was flagrant disregard of the High Court directions.

"The decision is bound to put the future of thousands of students on the line. I urge the JK BOSE to withdraw the order forthwith," Tarigami said.

National Conference (NC) spokesman Imran Nabi Dar denounced the BOSE saying that the unjust move had sparked concerns and raised questions about the board's actions.

“The decision is in defiance of a High Court order issued last year in reference to the government directive from the previous year. The refusal by BOSE to accept examination forms for class 10th students enrolled in these private schools has put the academic aspirations of thousands into jeopardy. It's surprising to see that the BOSE is not accepting the forms of students enrolled in these schools despite the High Court orders,” he said.

Dar sought prompt action from the government to ensure the academic well-being of these students and impressed upon the LG’s administration to intervene into the issue so that the matter is solved in the best interests of the students.

Peoples Conference Youth President Mudasir Karim also questioned the BOSE’s actions, highlighting the plight of orphans and underprivileged children.

“BOSE’s refusal to accept class 10th exam forms from private schools on State land, despite High Court directions, has thrown these aspirations into jeopardy. Urgent intervention is needed to secure the future of these students,” he posted on X.

The J&K administration in 2022 ordered that all those private schools established on the State land should close the schooling of the enrolled children with immediate effect.

However, the private school proprietors collectively approached the judiciary and sought relief from the J&K High Court, securing relief on the government's order.

Justice Rahul Bharti has already issued the directions to the SED to release Registration Returns forms (RRFs) in favour of the petitioners’ schools in the manner as used to be provided and extended to the petitioners’ schools prior to the issuance of SO 177 dated April 15, 2022, and accordingly the respondents are directed to “do as directed”.