Share your story and shine at JK Monitor!đ Welcome to JK Monitor, where every story matters and every achievement is celebrated! We invite you to share the remarkable journey of your life and showcase your accomplishments to the world. Join our exclusive interviews that honor exceptional individuals just like you. SRINAGAR: A delegation of the Jammu Kashmir Unaided Private Schools Association (JKUPSA), led by its President Showkat Chowdhary, met with Ram Niwas Sharma (IAS), Secretary, J&K School Education Department at the Civil Secretariat, Srinagar, to discuss several long-pending issues affecting private schools across the Union Territory.
The delegation comprised Iqbal Beigh, Suhail Jan and Javaid Iqbal, along with representatives from some private schools. From the government side, the meeting was attended by Ghulam Rasool Mir, Special Secretary, School Education; Syed Ahmad Kataria, Additional Secretary, School Education; Kulbhushan Kumar, Director Finance (SED); Joint Secretary, JKBOSE and Iqbal Hussain, Personal Officer, School Education Department.
The JKUPSA delegation strongly reiterated its long-standing demand for the introduction of a One-Time Registration Certificate for private schools, instead of the existing system of renewal every five years. The association emphasized that repetitive renewals create unnecessary administrative hurdles and delay the smooth functioning of educational institutions.
âThe present system of periodic renewal causes avoidable inconvenience to hundreds of schools and should be replaced by a one-time registration model for greater efficiency and transparency,â the delegation submitted. The delegation also expressed serious concern over the 10-year lease agreement condition imposed under SO 177, calling it impractical and unrealistic in the local context.
JKUPSA leaders explained that many landlords are unwilling to sign long-term lease deeds, which puts several schools at risk of closure. They appealed to the department to restore the earlier system of normal rent deeds, which had worked effectively for years. âPrior to SO 177, schools were allowed to function with regular rent deeds that landlords willingly accepted. The new 10-year lease clause is creating unnecessary stress and could force many schools to shut down,â the association highlighted.
The delegation also raised various administrative and policy-related issues faced by private schools. Secretary, J&K School Education Department, Ram Niwas Sharma, gave a patient hearing to all the concerns raised by the association. He assured the delegation that the issues discussed were genuine and would be carefully examined for a practical resolution. âThe department will explore a balanced and workable way forward,â he assured.
JKUPSA President Showkat Chowdhary described the meeting as âpositive and constructive.â âThe private education sector plays a pivotal role in strengthening the education system of Jammu & Kashmir. Our demands are not merely institutional but are in the interest of students, teachers and parents. We are hopeful that the government will take prompt and favorable action to resolve these long-pending issues,â said Chowdhary.
He also extended gratitude to the Secretary, School Education and other senior officers of the department for giving adequate time and patient attention to the delegation. JKUPSA termed the meeting a significant step forward and expressed optimism that the government will soon address the genuine and long-standing concerns of the private education sector, ensuring stability and smooth functioning of educational institutions across Jammu & Kashmir.
