Schools instructed to make heating arrangements for students: DSEK

Srinagar, Nov 23: The Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) Saturday directed all the schools to make heating arrangements for students appearing in exams from November 25.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a function, the Director of School Education, Kashmir,

Tasaduq Hussain Mir said that all the school heads had been directed to make all the heating arrangements for the students up to class 9th.

“Wherever possible, we will do it and in case of schools where no heating gadgets are available, the school heads have been asked to make some arrangements for the students,” he said.

Mir also admitted that most of the schools do not have heating facilities available.

He said that the priority of the government was to conduct examinations in a smooth and free environment.

“Our session changed from March to November-December. Our first target is to conduct examinations and we have already issued a uniform date sheet,” Mir said.

He said that after the exams conclude and results are declared, the new classes would start immediately.

“However, in case the weather conditions do not allow us to continue new classes, we will decide to announce winter vacation for the schools,” Mir said.

On complaints received against private schools overcharging of donations and capitation fees from the students at the time of the admissions, he said that a fee fixation committee headed by a retired justice was already constituted and had a mandate to regulate the fees for private schools.

“I am also a member of the committee. There are clear-cut directions and orders that no admission fee or any type of capitation fee will be charged by any of the private schools. In case any violations are reported, we will take action against the school by derecognising it for violating the norms,” Mir said. “The government is serious about this issue.”

He said that the parents would not have any complaints against the schools for selling textbooks from the premises or keeping the books available at any particular bookshop.

“The government issued an order last year that all the government and private schools will adopt and prescribe the textbooks of the J&K Board of School Education (BOSE) for all classes. It is a standing order. So parents need not to worry about it,” Mir said.

He said that the BOSE was already directed to print textbooks and ensure timely distribution in schools.

“The education minister has also issued instructions to the BOSE and the instructions are to be implemented in letter and spirit,” he said.