J&K-PSA announces district-level grievance cells, assures action against schools violating Govt. norms

• State Executive Council reviews key education issues, focuses on students' welfare, parents' concerns & quality education
• Every genuine complaint will be taken up through proper channels to strengthen parent–school trust: J&K-PSA President Bilal Bhat
• J&K-PSA appreciates ease of doing business reforms, looks forward to resolution of remaining school issues: Gen.Secy. Syed Wani 

ANANTNAG: The Jammu & Kashmir (Regd.) Private Schools Association (J&K-PSA) convened a high-level meeting of its State Executive Council to review pressing issues confronting private educational institutions across Jammu and Kashmir, assess progress on previously raised concerns and formulate a comprehensive roadmap for addressing pending challenges.

A major outcome of the meeting was the Association's decision to establish district-level grievance redressal cells across Jammu and Kashmir, providing parents with an accessible mechanism to formally register complaints against private schools and ensuring appropriate action in cases of violations of prescribed rules and regulations, particularly the directions and norms of the Fee Fixation and Regulation Committee (FFRC).

The meeting was held under the chairmanship of J&K-PSA State President Bilal Ahmad Bhat and hosted by the J&K Private Schools Association's Anantnag district team. Senior office-bearers, district presidents, members of the State Executive Council and representatives from different parts of Jammu and Kashmir participated, with several senior members joining virtually.

The meeting was attended virtually by Dr. G.N. Var, PSAJK Founding President and Chief Patron; Manzoor Ahmad Rather, Senior Vice President J&K-PSA; Advocate Ghulam Hassan Rather, Vice President, Kashmir Province; Mohammad Syed Wani, State General Secretary (Organisation); Hilal Ahmad Khan, Treasurer and District President Shopian; Dr. Owais Mattoo, Director Media & Communications and District President Budgam; Mushtaq Shaheen, North Kashmir Coordinator; Er. Mehmood, District President Anantnag; Zameer Ahmad Thakur, Vice President; Aijaz Ahmad Wani, Secretary; Dr. Yasir Ramzan Bhat, District President Bandipora; Dr. Waseem Siddiqui, District President Kulgam; Altaf Ahmad Shah, District Vice President Kupwara; Mohammad Shafi, District Vice President Ganderbal; Sheikh Abid Hussain, District Vice President Shopian; besides Srinagar district executive members, Women's Wing representatives, Zonal Level and other members of the State Executive Council.

Addressing the concerns of parents, J&K-PSA State President Bilal Ahmad Bhat reiterated that the Association would not tolerate violations of established rules by any member institution and urged parents to submit complaints in writing so that the matter could be properly examined and necessary action initiated.

“Our doors are open to every parent. Wherever a violation is noticed, we request parents to submit a written complaint to the Association. We will take up the matter with the concerned school and ensure that appropriate action is taken. If a violation is brought to our notice” Bhat said.

He emphasised that transparency in school functioning was essential for building confidence among parents and educational institutions. Referring to the directions issued by the Education Department regarding transparency in school book lists, he said that schools had increasingly adopted the practice of displaying their prescribed book lists on official websites or notice boards, enabling parents to exercise their choice.

The State President also highlighted the importance of resolving misunderstandings between parents and school administrations, observing that many grievances arise from communication gaps that can be addressed through timely intervention and constructive dialogue. He encouraged parents facing difficulties to approach the Association through its Central office, District & Zonal Level offices, assuring them that genuine complaints would receive due attention.

General Secretary (Organisation) Mohammad Syed Wani, while explaining the purpose of the monthly executive council meetings, said that the Association follows a structured mechanism of reviewing its activities, assessing achievements and setting fresh priorities for the coming month.

“Our objective is to hold an Executive Council meeting every month, with deliberations organised across different districts of Jammu and Kashmir. These meetings provide an opportunity to review the progress made on our previous commitments, assess the issues confronting private schools and formulate an agenda for the coming month. This collective approach helps us remain connected with our district-level leadership and work systematically towards resolving the concerns of the education sector,” Wani said.

He also expressed appreciation for the government's recent decision to rationalise and simplify several NOC requirements under its Ease of Doing Business initiative, describing it as a positive step towards addressing the long-pending difficulties of private educational institutions. Syed Wani expressed hope that the newly appointed Education Minister, Advocate Shameema Firdous, would extend support in resolving the remaining issues confronting private schools and facilitating a more transparent, practical and supportive regulatory environment.

The meeting also held detailed deliberations on the broader responsibilities of private educational institutions, including maintaining academic standards, strengthening teacher training and professional development, identifying and nurturing students' individual talents, safeguarding student welfare and promoting holistic development through academic, cultural, sports and extracurricular activities.

PSAJK Founding President and Chief Patron Dr. G.N. Var, who participated virtually, along with other senior office-bearers, contributed to the deliberations on the Association's organisational priorities and the need for sustained engagement with educational authorities. The leadership emphasised that the future of school education requires a balanced approach that combines regulatory accountability with academic excellence, institutional development and student-centred policies.

As part of this initiative, the J&K-PSA has established district-level Grievance Cells across Jammu and Kashmir, designating the respective District Presidents as Nodal Officers to facilitate and appropriate redressal of genuine parental grievances concerning private schools. Parents can directly approach the concerned district representatives through the following contact numbers:

District-wise Grievance Cell Nodal Officers: Srinagar: Adil Habib Bhat, District President – (7006030351); Budgam District President Dr. Owais Mattoo,  – (7889747939); Ganderbal Distrct President Sheikh Javaid Ali- (7006233969); Anantnag District President Er. Mehmood,– (9622614562); Shopian District President Hilal Ahmad Khan– (9858707214); Kulgam District President Dr. Waseem Siddiqui – (7780903340); Pulwama District President Dr. Sheikh Arshid,– (8899717940); Bandipora District President Dr. Yasir Ramzan Bhat (7780928254); Baramulla District President Mir Aadil Mohi-ud-Din (9906622234); Kupwara District President Tanveer Ahmad Lone (7006184824) and other remaining districts Contact details will be updated separately.

For further assistance, parents can also contact J&K-PSA State President Bilal Ahmad Bhat at 9419518106  and General Secretary (Organisation) Mohammad Syed Wani at 7006459060.

The Association has urged parents to submit genuine complaints with relevant details so that their concerns can be examined and addressed through appropriate channels. It reiterated its commitment to promoting transparency, mutual understanding and constructive coordination between parents and schools, keeping students' welfare and quality education at the forefront.

Concluding the deliberations, the Association reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening institutional accountability, protecting the legitimate interests of parents and students, addressing the genuine concerns of private schools and maintaining constructive engagement with the government and educational authorities.

The leadership reiterated that a transparent, accountable and progressive school education system can only be built through collective responsibility, effective grievance redressal and sustained efforts towards improving the quality of education across Jammu and Kashmir.