Government to hold high-level meeting as complaints mount against private schools in J&K

Srinagar, Dec 11: The Jammu and Kashmir Government is set to convene a high-level meeting later this month to address mounting complaints of alleged illegal profiteering by private schools, including the prescribing of costly textbooks and violations of fee norms.

The meeting, expected in the third or last week of December, will review the functioning of private schools across the Union Territory amid growing public outcry. The move follows repeated complaints that many schools prescribe expensive textbooks from private publishers at the start of each academic session, despite government rules mandating that all JKBOSE-affiliated institutions adopt NCERT books.

Parents have alleged that schools continue to bypass these norms, selling costly books and resorting to practices perceived as profiteering. The government initiated action two weeks after the new academic session began, responding to widespread concerns over these violations.

Speaking to Greater Kashmir, Education Minister Sakina Itoo confirmed that the government will meet with the Private Schools Association to address the issue comprehensively. “All issues will be resolved to streamline the functioning of private schools. We want to ensure there are no complaints from the next academic session,” she said.

The meeting will be chaired by the Education Minister and attended by senior officials, including Secretary School Education Department Ram Niwas Sharma, the Chairman of the Fee Fixation and Regulation Committee (FFRC), JKBOSE representatives, Directors of School Education, and members of the Private Schools Association of J&K.

Itoo added that private school representatives will be given an opportunity to raise their concerns and seek government intervention where required. She said a committee may be constituted, or a detailed order issued, to enforce norms governing private schools.

The meeting will also address issues related to school transport. The minister said complaints have surfaced about private vans carrying more students than permitted. “We have found that many of these vans are hired independently by parents, who do not verify vehicle conditions or seating capacity,” she said.

The government aims to establish clearer regulations and a streamlined system to curb profiteering, ensure compliance, and safeguard parents’ interests ahead of the next academic session.