PSA holds Grand School Leaders' Conference in South Kashmir

• Schools must prioritise child-centric, value-based education over infrastructure; private schools are knowledge partners, not opponents of the Govt: PSA Chief Patron Dr. G.N. Var
• Schools must produce responsible citizens, not just degree holders: Khurshid Bismal Chairman PSA Pir Panjal Range, Jammu
• Quality education and student welfare will always be PSA's top priority: President Bilal Bhat
• Every school leader must work together for better education: Gen. Secy M. Syed Wani

ANANTNAG: The Private Schools' Association (PSA), organised a grand School Leaders' Conference and Felicitation Ceremony for the newly elected representatives of District Anantnag at Dak Bangla Verinag. The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from school owners, newly elected Zonal Presidents, Zonal Secretaries and senior representatives from various educational zones across the district.

The conference marked the first major gathering organised by the newly elected District Anantnag leadership after assuming office and served as an important platform for interaction between the Central Executive Body and grassroots representatives to discuss the challenges confronting the private education sector and to chalk out a collective roadmap for the future.

The conference was graced by NISA Joint Secretary and PSA Chief Patron Dr. G.N. Var and Chairman, PSA Pir Panjal Range & Chenab Valley Division, Khurshid Bismal, as the Chief Guests Among those were present PSA State President Bilal Ahmad Bhat, Senior Vice President Manzoor Ahmad Rather, General Secretary (Organisation) Mohammad Syed Wani besides members of the Central Executive Body, District Executive Body and representatives from different educational zones.

A special felicitation ceremony was organised in honour of Chairman Pir Panjal Range Khurshid Bismal in recognition of his outstanding services and valuable contribution towards strengthening the private education sector across Jammu & Kashmir. District Anantnag leadership presented him with mementoes and bouquets as a mark of appreciation. The participants described his visit as an honour and a source of inspiration for the educational fraternity.

Addressing the gathering, PSA Chief Patron Dr. G.N. Var said that the primary responsibility of every educational institution is to deliver quality education while infrastructure and other facilities should always remain secondary to the core objective of learning. "The primary focus of every school must be academics and meaningful learning. Buildings and infrastructure are important, but they should never overshadow the fundamental purpose of education, which is to develop knowledgeable, responsible and morally upright human beings."

Dr. Var observed that the present education system has gradually become disoriented from its original purpose, resulting in growing social and moral challenges. "Our education system has unfortunately deviated from its true mission. This is reflected in the increasing challenges confronting society today, whether it is the decline of moral values, weakening of character, corruption or the alarming rise of drug abuse. These issues compel us to introspect and address the shortcomings within our educational system."

He stressed that education must remain child-centric irrespective of whether a student studies in a government or private institution. "Every child deserves child-centric education. Whether a student studies in a government school or a private school, the objective of education must remain the same to nurture knowledge, values, confidence, leadership and character."

Highlighting the difficulties being faced by private educational institutions, Dr. Var expressed concern over the increasing regulatory burden. "The private education sector is passing through one of its most difficult phases. The burden of obtaining multiple NOCs has forced dozens of private schools to close over the past three years, affecting the education of thousands of students. Education should be encouraged, not burdened. The Government should introduce timely policy reforms and provide a fair, transparent and supportive environment so that private schools can continue serving students and contributing to quality education."

He said PSA believes in constructive engagement with the Government. "Private schools are knowledge partners in nation-building. We do not stand in opposition to the Government; rather, we seek to complement and support its efforts. We want to serve as a supporting partner and a bridge between policymakers and educational institutions. If the Government provides a level playing field and ensures ease of doing business for private schools, the ultimate beneficiaries will be students and society as a whole, because strong societies are built through quality education."

Chairman Pir Panjal Range & Chenab Valley Division Khurshid Bismal presented a comprehensive vision for the future role of the Private Schools' Association amid the evolving educational and social challenges facing Jammu & Kashmir.

"Education is the foundation upon which every progressive, civilized and prosperous society is built. True education does not merely impart information, it develops character, responsibility, wisdom and social consciousness. Educational institutions must emerge as centres of social transformation rather than remaining confined to classrooms."

Bismal said the greatest challenge before society today is the growing educational and moral crisis."If we fail to guide our younger generation today, tomorrow's society will pay a heavy price. Academic excellence alone cannot build a nation unless it is accompanied by ethics, leadership, discipline and civic responsibility."

Calling for a broader role of the Association, he said PSA should evolve into a dynamic institution capable of responding to educational and social crises. "The Private Schools' Association must now move beyond routine administrative functions and emerge as an effective Crisis Management Organisation capable of collectively addressing educational, moral, psychological and social challenges confronting our institutions."

Expressing concern over the growing menace of drug abuse, he urged school leaders to adopt preventive and awareness-based mechanisms. "The real question is not whether drugs exist, the real question is whether our schools are adequately prepared to protect students from this menace. Every institution must establish permanent systems for awareness, counselling, teacher training and early intervention."

He also emphasised that schools must devote equal attention to character formation. "Education without character is incomplete. Schools must dedicate time every day for value based education, respect for parents, honesty, patriotism, service to humanity and ethical conduct so that students succeed not only in examinations but also in life."

Highlighting unemployment and changing workforce requirements, Bismal advocated skill-based education. "The future belongs to skills, innovation and entrepreneurship. Schools must equip students with communication skills, digital literacy, problem-solving abilities, creativity and entrepreneurial thinking so they become job creators rather than job seekers."

He further proposed a series of institutional reforms for PSA, including a common educational vision, continuous professional development of teachers, stronger parent-school partnerships, structured counselling programmes, character-building initiatives and the establishment of a Network Crisis Response mechanism to provide immediate support to schools facing emergencies.

Speaking on the occasion, PSA State President Bilal Ahmad Bhat congratulated the newly elected office bearers and called upon them to work with dedication, transparency and unity for the welfare of private educational institutions.

"The strength of the Association lies in the unity of its members. Our collective responsibility is to safeguard the dignity of private schools, protect students' interests and ensure that quality education reaches every child across Jammu & Kashmir. Together, we will continue to engage constructively with all stakeholders for the betterment of the education sector."

Senior Vice President Manzoor Ahmad Rather urged school leaders to remain committed to educational excellence, organisational discipline and the collective vision of the Association. He called upon the newly elected representatives to work with sincerity, dedication and unity to address the challenges facing the private education sector. He also assured them of the Central leadership's full support and emphasised that strong coordination between the Central and District leadership would further strengthen the Association and help safeguard the interests of private educational institutions across Jammu & Kashmir.

Addressing the gathering, General Secretary (Organisation) Mohammad Syed Wani stressed the importance of organisational cohesion and coordinated action. "A strong organisation is built through communication, discipline and collective responsibility. Every zonal representative must remain actively connected with the grassroots so that the genuine concerns of schools are effectively represented before the Government and addressed through coordinated institutional efforts."

He reiterated PSA's commitment to protecting the interests of private educational institutions while simultaneously promoting reforms aimed at improving educational quality across Jammu & Kashmir.

The conference witnessed active interaction between the Central leadership and school heads, during which participants deliberated upon regulatory issues, academic reforms, teacher capacity building, student welfare, policy advocacy and future organisational strategies.

The newly elected Zonal Presidents and Secretaries reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the Association through unity, coordination and collective efforts for the welfare of private educational institutions.

The speakers appreciated the enthusiasm shown by the district members and reiterated the Association's unwavering commitment to safeguarding the interests of private educational institutions while promoting quality, value-based and child-centric education throughout Jammu & Kashmir.

The programme concluded with a formal vote of thanks delivered by District Coordinator Anantnag Aijaz Ahmad Wani, who expressed gratitude to the Central leadership, distinguished guests, school managements and participants for making the conference a grand success.

"The overwhelming participation of school leaders reflects our shared commitment towards strengthening the private education sector. We remain determined to work collectively under the guidance of our Central leadership to protect the interests of our institutions and ensure that every child receives quality, value-based and future-oriented education."

The event concluded with a renewed pledge by all participants to work in close coordination for the growth, development and long-term strengthening of the private education sector across Jammu & Kashmir.