Reopening Of Schools: PSAJK pitches for smooth academic session, conducts deliberations
Srinagar, Feb 27: Amid the reopening of the schools, the Private Schools Association of Jammu & Kashmir (PSAJK) has pitched for coordinated deliberations with the department and other stakeholders to ensure a smooth academic transition and uninterrupted functioning of schools across J&K.
As already reported, the class work for secondary and senior secondary resumed earlier this week across Kashmir post winter vacations while the elementary level schools are scheduled to resume the class work from March 2, 2026.
Amid this, the PSAJK has put forth its issues pertaining to operation of the school transport fleet besides the other concerns pertaining to NoCs and affiliation of the schools.
Talking to Greater Kashmir, President PSAJK Nazrul Islam Baba said the association put forth its issues with the Transport Commissioner Vishish Paul Mahajan in Jammu to discuss key issues concerning the transport fleet operated by private schools across J&K.
"As the schools are reopening for elementary level classes next week, there should be a clarity and uniformity in transport regulations to avoid disruption in ferrying students to and from their homes throughout the academic session," PSAJK president told Greater Kashmir. He said the private schools were ready to comply with the guidelines and complying with safety standards. "But the regulatory framework must be rational and reflective of ground realities," he said. Nazruk Islam Baba who was accompanied by President Jammu division Ajay Gupta, during their meeting with transport commissioner, raised concerns over the prescribed operational life of school vehicles, jurisdiction of permits, permit regulations and the seating capacity norms. "We also raised the issued about the taxation framework applicable to school buses and vans," Baba said. Following the meeting, the Transport Commissioner has assured the association that the department would review the relevant rules and communicate appropriate clarifications after due examination.
Besides meeting with the transport commissioner, the review meeting of the Apex Committee was convened at the Directorate of School Education Jammu (DSEJ) to deliberate upon procedural reforms related to affiliation, recognition and renewal of private schools across J&K.
The meeting was convened in wake of several meeting held by the government with the representatives of private schools during the last few months.
As already reported, the High Court in its recent judgment acknowledged the role of private schools in imparting quality education. The High Court in its judgment blamed the failure of the government education system which paved the way for the mushrooming of private schools.
The meeting was attended by PSAJK president besides representatives from Jammu division and president coordination committee of private schools along with representatives from institutions affiliated with CBSE, IB and ICSE Boards. The meeting discussed long-pending bottlenecks faced by private schools, including procedural delays in affiliation and recognition renewals, PNIC and lease deed issues.
"We also discussed the multiplicity of No Objection Certificates (NoCs) obtained from various departments, and the need for standardisation of procedural codes," Baba said. He said that private education sector remains a key partner in the educational ecosystem of J&K and requires procedural clarity and administrative ease to continue delivering quality education. "I hope that that comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) would be issued in the coming months to ensure transparency, accountability and smooth functioning of schools," he said.
