SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Thursday defeated a Private Members’ Bill seeking mandatory enrolment of children of public representatives and government servants in government educational institutions.
The Bill was moved by Langate MLA Sheikh Khursheed Ahmad, who sought leave to introduce legislation requiring children of “public men and public servants” to attend government schools.
The government opposed the measure, with the concerned Minister saying that although she respected the intention behind the Bill, compulsory enrolment in government schools was not feasible.
The Minister said the government was upgrading infrastructure in government schools and acknowledged that some institutions still required improvement. She said the remaining schools would also be taken up for upgradation in due course.
She maintained that children have a fundamental right and liberty to choose the institution in which they pursue their education. Referring to students from government schools who had qualified NEET, she said pupils from these institutions were achieving success.
The Minister said the government should focus on persuading people about the quality of education available in government schools rather than making enrolment compulsory. She also requested Khursheed to withdraw the Bill.
Khursheed, however, pressed for its consideration, arguing that infrastructure development alone could not address the challenges facing government schools.
He said enrolment was also an important factor and that higher enrolment could contribute to improving the overall condition of government schools.
The MLA urged policymakers to examine the issue and maintained that children of Ministers, MLAs and government employees should also be enrolled in government schools.
The House subsequently defeated the Private Members’ Bill.
