STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: First time after bifurcation of the erstwhile State of Jammu & Kashmir into two union territories, General Secretary J&K Private Schools Association (JKPSA), Ajay Gupta convened a joint meeting of heads of all associations of Private schools affiliated/ recognized by JKBOSE to take stock of issues faced by private schools of J&K. The meeting was presided over by Kamal Gupta, President JKPSA whereas Showkat Chowdhary, President J&K Joint Coordination Committee of Private Schools and G N Var, President, Private Schools Association J&K (Kashmir) Chapter were the special invitees.
Speaking on the occasion, Var briefed members that Fee Fixation and Regulation Committee (FFRC) continue to remain headless as tenure of its chairman ended on November 9. “More than a month has passed but the Government has not taken any step to appoint new Chairman. Government has now become mute spectator as there is no one to mitigate grievances of school authorities,” he added. Showkat Chowdhary briefed members that not only FFRC but also JKBOSE is also without Chairman since June 30, 2022. “A big mockery is seen as even after issuing advertisements twice for the post of Chairman JKBOSE, Government is unable to trace a competent Chairman,” he asserted.
Expressing dismay, District Presidents of Jammu division briefed that most of the schools since 2019 onwards are without affiliation/ recognition. The members said that JKBOSE is hell bent to discourage private schools without their faults by labeling unwanted late fee, penalties with 18 per cent GST.
After thorough discussion it was observed that fate of private schools in J&K is hung as despite streamlining education system, the Government has deliberately created a mess. After agreeing on a memorandum of understanding, the participants decided to struggle collectively against wrong polices of Government towards private schools to make the venture flourish without any fear psychosis.
Prominent members who attended the meeting included Rameshwar Mengi (Vice President), Deepak Handa (President Jammu Urban), Lal Chand (President Jammu Rural), Sat Paul Mansotra (President Kathua),Ram Parkash (President Udhampur), Laddi Sharma (President Reasi) , Tariq Hussain Bali (President Ramban), Usha Jamwal (President Mahila Wing), Sanjeev Luthra, Ajay Singh, Vineet Kumar, Naresh Kumar, Rajiv Jasrotia, Siddheshwar Sadotra, Dr Madan Mohan, Maitree Jain and Neeru Puri.