SRINAGAR, NOV 13 (PTK): Over the last few weeks there has been a sustained effort to undermine the private education sector in Kashmir, which has created a dangerous situation for the entire society, Private Schools Association of Jammu and Kashmir (PSAJK) in a statement issued said .
Var said “government is trying to adopt a new education policy in Kashmir and has begun with maligning the image of Private schools aimed to make Kashmiris illiterate,” adding that the private schools are being targeted selectively while as the missionary schools have been left to do whatever they want.
Var added that some schools have been closed here for unnecessary things. “Like NIA has tightened noose on Kashmiris, the government is also acting as NIA against the private schools in Kashmir”.
He added that on 12th November a team of Legal Metrology Department paid a visit to Leeds Convent School Kulgam. The team after thoroughly searching for an hour could not find any book in the school and then in utter frustration, they challenged the school after spotting two Gas cylinders which the school had used for heating a class 11th examination centre,”.
If the government was sincere about the selling of books in private schools, why didn’t they take up the issue when the big schools like Missionary Schools sold every book, notebook and stationery items from their schools.
“Where were they when these schools forced parents to buy everything from their schools. This has been their practice for more than 20 years, yet they were never raided. “It was only when the admission time in local private schools came, the government suddenly wakes up,” said Var. “Two respected private schools like Green Valley and R P School were given harsh punishment even as no hand was laid on missionary schools despite later being way too costly.”
“Regarding the concern that there are complaints of books being sold only at one place, the PSAJK has already issued the circular directing schools to make available books at multiple places,” said Var.
“It is a sad reality that KAS and IAS officers have a myopic vision and look at education from an administrative point only. Government Education department being a competitor to the Private Schools cannot be a fair regulator and the administrative system needs a change,” he said.
“Our only question to people at the helm of power is that if they loathe private schools so much and if they feel they are not doing their jobs satisfactorily then why every official puts their children in private schools, Why don’t our bureaucrats and even government school teachers admit their wards in government schools,” said Var.
“On one hand, local private schools are being harassed and some even forced to shut down, there are attempts to bring in Jawahar Navodya Vidyalas and Kendriya Vidyalas in every district and block. The officials are meeting day in and out identifying land for them and providing them facilities to set up schools. They are being encouraged while as locals being discouraged. It seems to be an attempt to hijack the entire educations sector and put it in the hands of outsiders,” Var said. (PTK)
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