SRINAGAR: The Private Schools Association Jammu and Kashmir (PSAJK) has expressed its appreciation to the Jammu & Kashmir government, led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, for convening an inclusive pre-budget meeting that actively involved all stakeholders, particularly from the education sector. The association described the initiative as a historic step, comparable to the progressive reforms introduced in 1951 by Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah’s government through the Jammu & Kashmir Education Act.
PSAJK President G N Var underscored the significance of this consultative approach, stating, “We must appreciate the J&K Government’s initiative to include all stakeholders in the pre-budget meeting, especially concerning the private education sector. We thank the J&K government, led by Omar Abdullah, for this unprecedented move—the first of its kind since 1951, when Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah’s government introduced the J&K Education Act 1951.”
During the meeting, Omar Abdullah attentively considered the concerns raised by PSAJK, reflecting the government’s commitment to fostering the private education sector and ensuring overall educational development in Jammu & Kashmir.
Historically, the Jammu & Kashmir Education Act of 1951 was a landmark piece of legislation aimed at advancing education in the region. The Act was further reinforced in 2002 to promote universal elementary education and support private school growth. However, in recent years, amendments to the Act have introduced what PSAJK describes as unrealistic and illogical provisions, including excessive requirements for No Objection Certificates (NOCs), which have placed undue burdens on private educational institutions.
PSAJK has urged the government to take decisive steps to address the challenges facing the education sector, including granting registration and recognition to all existing schools irrespective of affiliation, providing permanent registration or extending it up to ten years for currently operational schools, abolishing unnecessary requirements such as the PNIC and pollution certificate, resolving land-related issues faced by long-established schools, introducing a single-window system for school NOC applications, and ensuring representation in key educational bodies such as JKBOSE, FFRC, and SCERT.
Many private schools in Jammu & Kashmir have been in operation for decades—some for over a century—providing affordable education to children from economically weaker backgrounds, including those from labourers, salesmen, orphans, widows, and low-income families. These budget-friendly schools not only ensure access to quality education but also generate employment for thousands of people in various roles, from teaching and non-teaching staff to drivers, while contributing to the local economy through taxes, utility fees, and board charges.
Var concluded on an optimistic note, stating, “This engagement demonstrates the J&K Government’s seriousness, commitment, and sincerity towards the growth of the private education sector and the overall educational development of our region.”
