Aazan Manzoor
Srinagar, Nov 19 (JKNS): In a decisive move to uphold academic standards and protect students’ interests, the Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) on Wednesday informed of taking strict action against private schools using non-Board-approved textbooks.
They said four schools have had their affiliation revoked and eight others have been fined.
JKBOSE Joint Secretary Shahnaz Chowdhary, addressing a press conference in Srinagar as per JKNS, said the action forms part of the Board’s ongoing inspections across districts. “We have identified schools prescribing private publications instead of Board-approved books. In line with regulations, eight schools have been fined and four will lose affiliation,” she said.
Giving details on the rationale behind the norms, Chowdhary said that Board textbooks are aligned with NCERT standards, ensuring uniform learning outcomes and preparing students for competitive exams. “Using private books not only deviates from prescribed curricula but also imposes a heavy financial burden on parents. Board books cost hundreds of rupees, whereas private alternatives run into thousands,” she said.
She also cited the 2020 bag policy, aimed at reducing academic stress for young learners. “Nursery and primary students should carry no school bags, and for classes one and two, bags should weigh only 1–1.3 kilograms. Education should remain stress-free, without overburdening children with excessive books,” Chowdhary added.
Referring to previous legal challenges, she explained that some schools approached the court in 2022 seeking permission to introduce private publications. “The Hon’ble court upheld the Board’s authority under Section 26, confirming that schools must follow JKBOSE-prescribed textbooks,” she said.
To address parental concerns, grievance cells have been established at the Board’s head office and sub-offices, allowing parents to submit complaints in writing for prompt action.
Chowdhary also said the Board’s drive is not merely punitive. “Our goal is to ensure affordability, safeguard student welfare, and maintain consistent academic standards across private schools in the Union Territory,” she said.
Under the J&K Board of School Education Act, 1975, the JKBOSE is the sole authority to prescribe courses, curricula, syllabi, and textbooks for all grades. The Board has repeatedly directed all affiliated schools to adopt its prescribed books, warning of strict action against violators.
In March 2024, the JKBOSE instructed its sub-offices to conduct inspections to verify whether private schools were adhering to Board-approved textbooks for the 2024–25 session. The directive also cautioned schools that non-compliance would invite penalties.
Despite these warnings, violations have continued unchecked, prompting widespread frustration among parents and renewed attention from the Education Department.
Earlier on November 12, Education Minister Sakina Itoo chaired a meeting at the Civil Secretariat to assess issues related to fee fixation and regulation of private schools across Jammu and Kashmir.
While reviewing other issues, the minister issued strict instructions to CEOs to check the unregulated selling of school textbooks by private schools through various agencies at exorbitant rates. She directed the CEOs to conduct routine checks on schools as well as bookshops and take stringent action against schools and bookshops involved in selling textbooks at exorbitant rates.
Sakina instructed the Director School Education to issue a detailed order regarding the curriculum/textbooks to be followed by schools and asked each CEO to implement that order in letter and spirit. She asked the CEOs to take appropriate action against schools violating this order.
The Education Minister directed the CEOs to establish a suitable grievance redressal mechanism for dealing with complaints related to the fee structure of schools, as well as increased textbook prices. (JKNS)
