EC Education discusses regulation of private schools in Ladakh UT

EC Education chairing a meeting of private schools’ representatives at Leh on Saturday.
EC Education chairing a meeting of private schools’ representatives at Leh on Saturday.

Excelsior Correspondent

LEH, Nov 23: The Executive Councillor for Education, Konchok Stanzin today chaired a meeting with the heads of private schools operating in Leh district to discuss the issues and problems related to regulation of private schools.
The officers of Education Deptt, Leh, headed by Joint Director School Education UT Ladakh, Tashi Dolma, attended the meeting.
EC Konchok said that the purpose of the meeting is to deliberate and find better mechanisms of regulating private schools in new system of UT Ladakh. He informed that LAHDC, Leh is working on drafting an education policy for Ladakh ensuring inclusivity and participatory for all.
During the meeting detail discussion was made on agendas like fee structure in private schools, school bus regulations/fees, uniform issues, academic qualification of teachers, provision of free education to weaker section under 25 percent reservation and admission criteria, issues of stationary books, diet charges, charge of fee during vocations, teachers training, Bhoti text book etc.
Certain important decision were taken during the meeting, which include that no private school will enhance school fees for next academic session and the schools were directed to submit their fees hike proposal to the Chief Education Office, Leh with justification for further examination. In case if any private school has hiked the new session fee they were directed to return the increased fee immediately.
The meeting decided to have uniform text book in all the Government and private schools in coming years. Private schools were also directed not to charge bus fee for the month of January and February on account of winter vocation.
JD Education Ladakh said that with UT status, Ladakh comes under MHRD, GoI and every school must adhere the verdict of Supreme Court on Right to Education Act and only B Ed /D Ed teachers are eligible for the post of teacher.
The private schools were given strict directions to stop selling stationary and uniforms within school premise, follow school building norms with proper toilet facilities for boys and girls, clean drinking water facilities, teachers welfare and enroll children with special needs if they are willing to take admission. It was conveyed to all the school heads that no school can deny CWSN in their schools as per norms and to consider having uniform admission fees on serious note