J&K-PSA delegation meets Education Minister Sakeena Itoo

• Thanks Govt. for simplifying NOC norms
• Says reforms will help schools focus more on education
  Raises pending school issues
• Seeks 10-year registration, resolution of state land matters

KULGAM: A delegation of the (Regd.) Jammu & Kashmir Private Schools Association (J&K-PSA), led by Association Secretary and District President Shopian Hilal Ahmad Khan, met today Health & Education Minister Ms. Sakeena Itoo at her residence in Damhal Hanjipora, Kulgam and conveyed the Association’s gratitude for the Government’s recent decision to simplify and rationalise several No Objection Certificate (NOC) and compliance requirements for private schools in J&K.

The delegation thanked Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Education Minister Sakeena Itoo, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Cabinet Ministers and administration for addressing a long-pending demand of the private education sector. The Association also conveyed special thanks on behalf of veteran educationist & PSAJK Chief Patron Dr. G.N. Var, President Bilal Ahmad Bhat and the entire State Executive body for the decision, which it described as an important step towards reducing unnecessary procedural burdens on educational institutions.

The J&K Government has recently amended the School Education Rules to ease several permission and certification requirements for private schools, including replacing certain documentary requirements with self-attested certificates, while retaining safeguards relating to areas such as student safety, structural safety, traffic safety and fire protection.

J&K-PSA Secretary Hilal Ahmad Khan said the Association viewed the reform as a significant development for the private education sector and appreciated the Government for responding to concerns that had been raised repeatedly through representations, meetings and policy discussions.

“On behalf of the entire Jammu & Kashmir Private Schools Association, I sincerely thank Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Education Minister Ms. Sakeena Itoo, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, our Chief Patron Dr. G.N. Var, President Bilal Ahmad Bhat and the entire Government for addressing this long-pending issue. Rationalising unnecessary NOCs and compliance requirements will reduce procedural difficulties and allow schools to devote greater time and resources to academics, student development, sports, skills and infrastructure. This is an important step towards Ease of Doing Business in the education sector,” Hilal Khan said.

The PSA delegation said the latest reform follows a series of education-sector decisions taken by the present Government, including the change in the academic session and the passage of the Jammu & Kashmir Private Universities Bill, 2026. The Assembly passed the Bill in April 2026 to provide a framework for establishing and regulating private universities in J&K.

The Association said these measures indicate a policy approach aimed at facilitating educational institutions while retaining necessary standards of academic quality, student safety and institutional accountability.

During the meeting, the delegation also raised several other issues concerning private schools. H.A Khan urged that Kalami Sheikh-ul-Alam (RA) should be incorporated into the school syllabus up to the middle-school level, emphasising the importance of acquainting students with Kashmir’s spiritual, literary and cultural heritage.

The delegation further discussed the State land and Khacharia land issue, seeking early resolution of the long-pending matter and reiterated the Association’s demand for a 10-year validity period for school registration certificates to reduce repetitive administrative procedures for recognised institutions.

The Education Minister, patiently heard the issues raised by the Private Schools Association and assured the members that the Government would examine the remaining pending matters and continue working for the welfare of students and the education sector in Jammu & Kashmir.

The PSA delegation expressed hope that the J&K Government’s continued engagement with the private-school fraternity would help resolve outstanding regulatory and infrastructure-related issues and further strengthen cooperation between the Government and private educational institutions.