SRINAGAR: President of the National Independent Schools Alliance (NISA), Dr Khulbushan Sharma Saturday stated that the reforms in the education system are needed to ensure that India’s education system acts a true catalyst for the growth of the nation.
Addressing a gathering at the National Education Conference organized by Uni Global Intellectuals Foundation (UNIGEF) in collaboration with the Private Schools Association Jammu and Kashmir (PSAJK), Dr Kulbushan advocated for moving beyond the Right to Education (RTE) and focusing on the Right to Quality Education (RTQE), which includes the closure of underperforming schools, improved teacher salaries in private schools, and the implementation of Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) for effective fund utilization.
He emphasized the importance of promoting a green environment in schools and advocated for the implementation of sustainable practices in Green Schools.
The conference provided a platform for prominent speakers to share their insights on educational reforms. The Chief Guest, Naseer Ahmad Wani, Additional Secretary School Education, assured about the government’s commitment in providing quality education to all.
Dr Khulbushan Sharma, alongside other notable speakers including G N Var, President of PSAJK, and Rachna Bhimrajika, founder Chairperson of UNIGEF, shared their valuable insights creating a comprehensive platform for meaningful dialogue on educational reforms.
One of the key points raised by Dr Khulbushan was the disparity between India’s recognition of education as a top priority and the lack of tangible progress on the ground. He called for immediate action to bridge this gap and ensure that education receives the attention and resources it deserves.
Highlighting the challenges faced by private schools in Kashmir, particularly in obtaining building safety certificates and the lack of nationwide emphasis on building safety standards, Dr Khulbushan proposed the “Ease of Running Schools” initiative, modeled on the Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) framework. This initiative aims to make schools self-regulatory, taking responsibility for adhering to necessary regulations.
To streamline certification processes, Dr Khulbushan suggested alternative approaches, such as replacing multiple certificates with an affidavit from school leaders, eliminating redundant and non-applicable No Objection Certificates (NOCs), and addressing concerns related to fees in private schools.
Dr Khulbushan emphasized that education is the responsibility of society and the government, citing research findings from Michigan and London regarding the misuse of funds and enrollment irregularities in public schools. He Encouraging unity among education stakeholders, Dr Khulbushan called for the establishment of an independent authority, the State School Standard Authority (SSSA), to spearhead meaningful reforms in the education system.
