Suhail Khan
SRINAGAR, Oct 30: G.N. Var, President of the Private Schools Association of Jammu and Kashmir (PSAJK), has commended the recent decision to shift the academic session to November-December, calling it a much-needed relief for students, parents, and educators across the Union Territory.
Var lauded the Omar Abdullah-led government for overturning the previous controversial order, which he described as both “unconstitutional and undemocratic,” sparking widespread support across the region.
Talking to Kashmir Despatch, Var emphasized that the November-December academic session shift reflects a reasoned approach based on logic, evidence, and public consultation, unlike the former policy implemented without stakeholder input. He noted the overwhelming approval of this decision within educational circles and acknowledged the profound relief it has brought to 1.2 million students whose academic paths had been disrupted.
“The earlier policy was executed without consultation, lacking logical or evidentiary support, which ignored the realities and challenges faced by our educational sector,” Var stated. According to him, the previous order disrupted students’ progress, pushing them into an unfavorable academic timeline. He pointed to a rising public sentiment against decisions imposed remotely, often via WhatsApp directives, which ignore the ground realities in Jammu and Kashmir.
Var praised the new administration’s willingness to prioritize public opinion, remarking, “This decision underscores that a government must fundamentally serve the people, and any decision contrary to public welfare has no constitutional standing.” Describing the initial order as an arbitrary imposition by bureaucrats, he praised the current government’s prompt action to restore the traditional academic calendar, characterizing it as a vital correction.
Further, Var urged the government to initiate an investigation into the officials responsible for the previous directive. He called for the establishment of a dedicated committee to review how the order jeopardized student careers and negatively impacted the academic progress of millions. According to Var, this probe should specifically address the lack of consultation with educational stakeholders and examine the substantial losses inflicted on students, schools, and parents due to the shift.
“This is a critical win for the education sector of Jammu and Kashmir,” Var expressed, “and the decision reflects a long-overdue alignment of educational policy with public and academic needs.” He noted that the support for this action is widespread and signals the Omar Abdullah-led administration’s commitment to rectifying policies that affect Jammu and Kashmir’s youth.
