5211 private schools functioning in J&K

Excelsior Correspondent

Srinagar, June 9: Gover-nment today said five thousand two hundred and eleven private schools are functioning across the State and they function under provisions of School Education Act, 2002.
This information was given by Minister Incharge Naeem Akhar in Upper House in reply to a question of Surindar Kumar Chowdhary. The Minister said there is no salary norms prescribed for private schools. ‘
“However, at the time of granting affiliation, the affiliation committee of Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education takes note of the salary and emoluments of the staff and also requires disbursement of salary through cheque,” said the Minister.
With regard to a query that these private schools provide Provident Fund (PF) and other facilities to the teaching and non-teaching staff, the Minister said: “Yes… Government has fixed criteria and set up norms of qualification and experience for appointing teachers for teaching various classes in pursuance to SRO-123”.
He further said that if any private school violates norms the Department takes “appropriate action”. “For regulating/ monitoring and taking action on the complaints regarding the private schools, a monitoring wing has been set up at the directorate level in respect of both divisions of the State”, he added.
Regarding complaints with respect to fee, a committee for fixation of fee structure for private schools has been constituted that takes necessary action to ensure reasonability of fee structure, the Minister added.