Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, June 16: Both the chapters of the Private Schools Association J&K (PSAJK) have raised reservations and concerns regarding the recent order issued by the Central Ministry of Education which makes it compulsory for all schools in the Union Territory to obtain affiliation with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).
Kamal Gupta, Rameshwar Singh Manhas, and G. N. Var, who are the representatives of the private schools’ organizations, have emphasized that the decision to affiliate with CBSE or any other national or international board should remain a choice for individual schools rather than being imposed upon them by the Ministry of Education or any other agency.
They have stated that making CBSE affiliation mandatory for all schools in J&K “would contradict the principles outlined in the National Education Policy 2020, which advocates for decentralization and institutional autonomy.”
They acknowledged the significant contributions made by the J&K Board of School Education (JKBOSE) under the academic leadership of the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), as seen in other states across the country.
They said that they firmly believe that schools should have the autonomy to decide whether they wish to affiliate with CBSE or any other national or international board while arguing that the existing arrangement, backed by relevant laws, rules, and regulations, “has proven to be successful over time.”
“The education system in J&K has been integrated with the overall academic leadership and professional support of NCERT since the 1960s, similar to other regions in the country. With recent policy initiatives and increased investments, the education sector in the UT is on track for unprecedented progress,” they said.
The representatives have noted that the emerging educational ecosystem requires a greater focus on facilitating smooth schooling rather than imposing unnecessary restrictions or controls.
In an appeal to the Lieutenant Governor (LG) of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, and Chief Secretary Dr A. K. Mehta, the J&K Private Schools Association, Jammu, J&K Private Schools Coordination Committee, Jammu, and Private Schools Association J&K have requested the UT Administration to allow the existing norms and procedures for school affiliation and recognition in J&K to continue under the existing laws and regulations.
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