4 Private Schools Derecognized, 8 Fined for Defying Prescribed Curriculum
KD NEWS SERVICE
SRINAGAR, Nov 2: In a significant move to strengthen academic discipline across private educational institutions, the Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) has initiated stringent action against several schools found violating textbook regulations. The enforcement drive, led by the Board’s Joint Secretary, Shahnaz Chowdary, follows a series of inspections conducted across multiple districts to assess compliance with the mandated curriculum.
Speaking to reporters, Chowdary revealed that four private schools are set to lose their affiliation with JKBOSE after they were found prescribing and teaching textbooks that had not been approved by the Board. In addition, eight other schools have been penalized with monetary fines for similar violations, marking a strong message to all institutions about the importance of adhering to official guidelines.
Chowdary explained that the inspections were carried out to ensure that schools strictly follow SRO 123, particularly Clause 11, which unequivocally mandates the use of only those textbooks that are prescribed and vetted by JKBOSE. She stressed that JKBOSE textbooks are harmonized with NCERT standards, ensuring uniformity in academic content and better preparation for students appearing in competitive examinations at the state and national levels.
Highlighting the rationale behind the crackdown, the Joint Secretary pointed to the financial burden imposed on parents by privately published books. “Many private publications are exorbitantly priced, often costing parents thousands of rupees. In contrast, textbooks published by JKBOSE are affordable and usually priced in the hundreds, making quality education accessible to all,” she noted. She urged parents to remain vigilant and ensure their children study only from Board-prescribed books to avoid unnecessary financial strain and academic inconsistency.
Chowdary also touched upon the student-friendly bag policy introduced in 2020, reiterating that schools must implement it in letter and spirit. “Students in nursery and primary classes should not carry school bags at all. For children in classes one and two, the permissible bag weight is strictly between 1 to 1.3 kilograms. The aim is to keep the learning process stress-free and prevent physical strain caused by heavy bags,” she said, adding that the use of unapproved textbooks often leads to unnecessary load on young learners.
Addressing earlier legal disputes related to textbook choices, Chowdary recalled that in 2022, several schools had filed petitions seeking permission to continue using private publications. However, the Hon’ble court upheld the Board’s authority under Section 26, reaffirming that all affiliated institutions must comply with JKBOSE’s prescribed curriculum. This legal validation, she said, has further strengthened the Board’s mandate to regulate academic content across private schools.
To assist parents and address grievances effectively, the Board has set up dedicated complaint cells at its headquarters as well as in regional and sub-offices. “Parents are encouraged to submit their concerns in writing. The Board is fully committed to taking swift and appropriate corrective measures wherever violations are reported,” Chowdary assured.
She concluded that the ongoing enforcement drive is aimed at safeguarding students’ academic interests, ensuring financial relief for parents, and maintaining uniform educational standards throughout the Union Territory. This, she said, is critical for upholding the credibility of the education system and fostering a stable, student-centric learning environment across private schools.
