Srinagar: As the Jammu and Kashmir administration “tagged” 65 private schools in Kashmir valley and 45 in Jammu division, allegedly operating on government land to nearby govt schools; the Private Schools Association labeled the move as a sinister design to undermine and dismantle private educational institutions.
Earlier, the registrations of these schools were not renewed as the administration directed them to cease operation with the school education department allegedly rejecting the exam forms of students from private schools established on state land.
The Private school association had moved court when the administration directed them to cease operation, and the court directed all parties concerned to maintain status quo.
Despite that the JKBOSE ordered to ‘tag’ 65 private schools from valley and 45 schools from Jammu.
However, Private Schools Association of Kashmir president Ghulam Nabi War said that they will approach the high court again against the government for contempt.
“Tagging is a sinister design to bulldoze private schools,” he said.
“The HC has given clear instructions that the registration of renewals of schools be issued, but the court orders have not been implemented. Instead, there is a conspiracy to tag schools. It will affect over 2 lakh students and 450 schools,” he said.
"Despite having 30 favorable orders from the J&K High Court, officials continue to disregard the implementation of these directives," he expressed.
"We earnestly appeal to the administration: 'Do not engage in politics with education.' Education is a sacred profession and should remain completely apolitical."
He also informed The Himalayan Post that over 40% of schools across India are established on government-owned land.
Furthermore, he cited a precedent in the leading case law, 'Civil Appeal no. 2773 of 2012,' by the Supreme Court, wherein it was emphatically ruled that any infrastructure contributing to the betterment of society, such as schools and hospitals, cannot be subject to a 'land retrieval drive.'
However, for official purposes, these institutes will be charged a nominal rent, he said.
“There is no denying the significance of schooling and alumni connections. Witnessing my students graduate from other schools is deeply disheartening," Najeeb Gilani, Principal of Delhi Memorial Public School in Pampore told The Himalayan Post.
"Kashmir's education system has garnered a strong reputation, largely attributed to private schools, which is why our academic merit remains consistently high," he asserted.
The discernible contrast in standards between government and private schools in Kashmir is evident, and parents consistently lean towards private institutions due to the quality education we offer, he said.
"It seems the administration is actively working to diminish the presence of private schools. Initially, they didn't renew our registration, then they instructed us to cease operations, and now they are redirecting our students," he added.
For official insights, The Himalayan Post attempted to contact Manisha Sareen, Deputy Secretary at BOSE. However, despite continuous efforts to reach her over two days, she remained unresponsive. We will provide an update to the story as soon as she responds.