SRINAGAR: The Private Schools Association of Jammu and Kashmir (PSAJK) hosted a significant High-Level School Conference, bringing together stakeholders to address challenges and explore opportunities within the private education sector.
The event was attended by Nasir Aslam Wani, Advisor to the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, as the Chief Guest. Other notable participants included MLA Gulmarg Farooq Ahmad Shah, MLA Pattan Riyaz Bedar, Senior Counsel Advocate Zaffar Ahmad Shah, Former SKIMS Director AG Ahangar, Former Vice-Chancellor of IUST Mushtaq Siddiqi, Former Secretary Mohammad Rafi, and senior education leaders, including Showkat Chowdhary, Muhammad Shahid Dar, and Prof. Irshad Ahmad Wani, among others.
GN Var, President of PSAJK, delivered the keynote address, highlighting critical issues faced by private schools in the region. He emphasised the need for systemic reforms and actionable solutions to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the education sector. Var underscored the importance of removing redundant No Objection Certificates (NOCs) that impose bureaucratic delays and hinder educational progress. He proposed a single-window clearance system to streamline permissions and improve administrative processes, allowing schools to focus on delivering quality education. Additionally, he advocated for a one-time school affiliation certificate to eliminate recurring administrative challenges, enabling institutions to allocate more resources to student development.
The conference also explored Jammu and Kashmir’s potential as an edu-tourism hub, leveraging its geographical and cultural uniqueness. Participants discussed forming partnerships with national and international institutions, upgrading local infrastructure to support academic and research programmes, and attracting intellectual talent from across the globe. The sector’s role in job creation was another focal point, with private schools providing over 72,000 employment opportunities in the region. The attendees stressed the need for policies that further strengthen this socio-economic backbone.
Speaking at the event, Advocate Zaffar Ahmad Shah highlighted the long-standing challenges faced by private schools, emphasising the importance of addressing them to protect students’ education and the livelihoods of teachers and non-teaching staff. He called for the introduction of progressive, people-friendly policies to create a supportive environment for all stakeholders. Nasir Aslam Wani assured attendees of the government’s commitment to addressing the sector’s challenges, stating that every effort would be made to ensure its growth as a vital contributor to the state’s progress. MLA Gulmarg Farooq Ahmad Shah reflected on the success of past initiatives and urged continued collaboration through educational conferences and exchange programmes to tackle persistent issues.
The conference concluded with a collective commitment to investing in education as a means of empowerment and progress. Resolutions adopted included advocating for educational reforms and fostering stronger partnerships between government and private stakeholders. PSAJK reiterated its dedication to addressing the concerns of the education sector, aiming to secure a brighter future for students, educators, and the region as a whole.
