Shopian: Alleged ₹4,000 Collection from Private Schools for Teachers’ Felicitation Programme Raises Questions
Sameer Ahmad
Shopian, August 13 (PTK): Questions have been raised over an alleged campaign by the Private Schools Association in Shopian seeking a contribution of ₹4,000 from each private school in connection with a proposed teachers’ felicitation programme. According to posters and WhatsApp messages reportedly circulated among private schools, the association has been seeking ₹4,000 from individual private schools and inviting teachers to participate in an award/felicitation programme. The circulated material reportedly carries references to senior government dignitaries, including the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir, the Education Minister and senior officers of the School Education Department. The demand has reportedly caused concern among some private-school managements, who are questioning why schools should be asked to contribute money if the programme is being organised under the banner or in connection with a government Teachers’ Day celebration. There is also an important factual point regarding the date. Teachers’ Day in India is observed on 5 September, commemorating the birth anniversary of former President and educationist Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. The J&K government’s 2025 Teachers’ Day programme was held at SKICC, Srinagar, on 5 September. During that programme, the government announced an Annual Best Private Teachers Awards initiative, with awards for private-school teachers to begin from the following year. The development makes the alleged ₹4,000 collection particularly worthy of clarification. If the Shopian programme is an independent event of the Private Schools Association, the association should publicly explain the purpose of the collection, whether payment is voluntary or mandatory, how the amount will be utilised, and whether participating schools will receive an official receipt and audited account of expenditure. On the other hand, if the programme is being represented as a government-sponsored or government-associated Teachers’ Day function, the concerned authorities should clarify the official status of the programme and whether the association has been authorised to collect money from private schools in the name of the event. The issue also raises questions about the use of photographs, names or designations of constitutional authorities and senior education officials on promotional material. Their names appearing on an invitation or poster should not, by itself, be interpreted as government approval or sponsorship. The concerned department should establish whether any formal permission or authorisation was issued. The Private Schools Association of Jammu & Kashmir describes itself as a representative body for private schools and says its work includes policy advocacy, teacher development and representation of school managements. In Shopian, the association recently constituted a new district executive body through an election process. Demand for official inquiry in view of the allegations, concerned private-school managements and teachers are seeking clarification from the School Education Department and the district administration. An impartial inquiry could establish: Whether the Private Schools Association, Shopian, actually directed or requested schools to pay ₹4,000 each. Whether the contribution was voluntary or compulsory. The exact purpose for which the money was being collected. Whether official permission was obtained for the proposed felicitation programme. Whether the Lieutenant Governor, Education Minister or School Education Department had officially approved or sponsored the programme. Whether any government officer or department authorised the use of their names and designations on the invitation/poster. How much money was collected and how it was proposed to be spent. Whether proper receipts and accounts were being maintained. The screenshots/posters circulated among private schools, if authentic, may provide important evidence for verification. However, the material should be examined by the competent authorities before any conclusion is drawn against an individual or organisation. The controversy is therefore not about honouring teachers—an objective that is widely supported—but about transparency, authorisation and accountability in the collection and use of money from private schools. A clear statement from the Private Schools Association, the School Education Department and the Shopian district administration would help remove the confusion and establish the facts. “According to PTK, when we contacted PSA Shopian, Shabir Ahmad Malik said, ‘I am in a meeting. I will call you back later.’”(PTK)
