SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir government has notified a comprehensive framework for the evaluation, verification and periodic review of books and academic material available in schools, colleges, universities and public libraries across the Union Territory.
The move comes amid recent concerns over books available in institutional libraries and the procurement of educational material, prompting the School Education Department and Higher Education Department to issue separate circulars on the directions of the government.
According to the government, the new framework aims to strengthen mechanisms for the evaluation, recommendation, circulation, retention and review of educational resources to ensure their academic merit, factual accuracy, relevance and compliance with the Constitution of India, existing laws, the National Education Policy and prescribed curricular standards.
Under the new guidelines, all government and recognised private schools, universities and public libraries have been directed to conduct a comprehensive academic and content audit of books, reference material, journals, research publications, dissertations, theses, digital repositories and other educational resources available in their institutions.
The audit will cover all material irrespective of the year of procurement, adoption or inclusion.
The circulars state that no publication or academic material containing factually inaccurate, misleading, distorted, inflammatory, unlawful or objectionable content will be procured, prescribed, retained, circulated, published or made available in educational institutions.
The government said the restrictions also apply to material that directly or indirectly promotes, glorifies, legitimises or justifies terrorism, violent extremism, secessionism, radicalisation or any activity prejudicial to the sovereignty, unity, integrity and security of the country.
For implementation, multi-tier academic and content scrutiny mechanisms have been introduced across the school and higher education sectors. Committees at institutional, district, directorate, university and administrative department levels will carry out academic evaluation, content verification, quality checks and periodic reviews.
The government said the process would be undertaken while respecting the statutory and academic autonomy of universities as provided under applicable laws and University Grants Commission regulations.
The circulars have fixed responsibilities for Vice-Chancellors, college principals, Chief Education Officers, Zonal Education Officers, heads of institutions, librarians, school managements and other academic authorities to ensure implementation within stipulated timelines.
Institutional heads have been made responsible for compliance in their respective jurisdictions, with the government warning that any negligence, omission or deviation from the prescribed procedures will be viewed seriously.
Officials said the initiative aims to strengthen academic standards, enhance institutional accountability and establish a transparent and uniform mechanism for reviewing educational resources across Jammu and Kashmir.
