Private Schools Association takes up issues with Advisor

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 30: A delegation of six members of Private Schools Association led by its President Kamal Gupta met KK Sharma, Advisor to Lieutenant Governor to highlight the deteriorated condition of private schools.
While speaking, members highlighted number of problems of private schools which included big challenge of running livelihood of those who are solely dependent on private schools due to delay in fee collection, circulars/ notifications issued by JKBOSE regarding late fee and penalty due to the nonpayment of annual inspection fee/periodical inspection fee in the stipulated time, delay in obtaining NOC’s which are needed for affiliation/ recognition from the different departments due to the imposed restrictions in the wake of COVID-19 etc.
To grant relief and revival of business, the members demanded financial assistance in the shape of salary of teachers and other expenses out of SDRF, waiver off the interest of loan of school buses, amnesty in electricity bills and benefit to all low budget private schools under PMGKY from central EPFO until schools are functional.
One year grace period for the validity of all documents along with affiliation / recognition i.e. instead of 2021 to 2022, declaration of private schools which are not functional under society Act, NGO or Trust as reasonable profit growing institutions, inclusion of representative of private schools equally from both the regions in JKSCERT and withdrawal of all circulars/ notifications regarding late fee and penalty issued by JKBOSE were also demanded.
Advisor gave patient hearing and assured the members to redress their genuine demands as early as possible.
The Executive Members of JKPSA who accompanied the deputation were Rameshwar Mengi Vice President, Ajay Gupta General Secretary, Deepak Handa President District Jammu, Sat Pal Mansotra President District Kathua and Ajay Singh Member Central Executive Body.