Private schools’ body presents charter of demands to Education Minister

Srinagar, Nov 1: A delegation from the JK Unaided Private School Association, lead by President Showkat Chowdhary, met with Education Minister Sakeena Itoo to address the pressing issues facing private schools in Jammu and Kashmir.

The delegation included key members Iqbal Beigh, Yousuf Manzar, and Javaid Ahmad. Despite the public holiday, Minister Itoo dedicated time to this crucial meeting, earning the Association's gratitude for her unwavering support and commitment.

Minister Itoo recognised the vital contribution of private education in the UT and assured the Association that the government would take steps to address their concerns, focusing on both institutional and student welfare.

The Association presented a detailed charter of demands including the implementation of order “no 06-EDU-2024 dated 19-09-2024:” The Association demanded the immediate implementation of the Principal Secretary to the Education Department’s directive, enabling schools to register students in 9th and 10th classes with JKBOSE without further delay.

Streamlining Registration and Renewal: “Under SO 177, private schools face delays due to the need for multiple No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from various departments.” The Association proposed simplifying this requirement by reducing the NOC burden or making it a one-time procedure, and extending the registration period to 10 years.

Academic Freedom: The Association requested the revocation of SO 177's mandate for exclusive JKBOSE textbook usage, as it limits access to diverse learning resources and academic flexibility.

FFRC File Clearance: With nearly 450 pending files, the Association urged the government to expedite these applications before the new academic session.

Fee Regulation: The Association proposed that the Fee Fixation and Regulation Committee (FFRC) Chairman be granted authority to approve tuition fee hikes of up to `2,000 for schools and annual charges of up to`8,000, as prolonged FFRC decisions significantly impact school operations.

Policy Alignment with Judicial Guidelines: Emphasising regulatory consistency, the Association appealed for adherence to the Supreme Court’s 11-judge bench judgment promoting fair and transparent educational policies.

President Chowdhary expressed optimism that, under Minister Itoo’s leadership, significant progress can be made to uplift the private education sector in Jammu and Kashmir.

Following the meeting with the Education Minister, the JK Unaided Private School Association held a general body meeting with its members to share the details and outcomes of the discussion.

President Showkat Chowdhary and the executive committee briefed the members, providing an in-depth update on the issues raised, the minister’s assurances, and the next steps in pursuing these reforms.

This meeting underscored the Association’s commitment to transparency and collective action.