Jammu Kashmir Education Minister Orders Crackdown on Private School Fee Hikes, Calls for Strict Monitoring | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: Minister for Education, Social Welfare, Health and Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo, on Monday directed strict action against private schools indulging in arbitrary fee hikes and violations of prescribed norms, warning that exploitation of parents will not be tolerated.

Chairing a comprehensive review meeting of the Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education at the Civil Secretariat Srinagar, the Minister reviewed the Board’s administrative functioning, academic reforms, examination preparedness and grievance redressal mechanisms.

The meeting was attended by Commissioner Secretary Education Ram Niwas Sharma, JKBOSE Chairman Ghulam Hassan Sheikh, Director School Education Kashmir Naseer Ahmad Wani, and other senior officials.

During the review, the Minister stressed the need for technology-driven governance, timely declaration of results, and strengthened coordination between JKBOSE and school education authorities. She reiterated that JKBOSE must function as a student-centric institution ensuring fairness, transparency, and academic excellence.

Expressing serious concern over complaints of unjustified fee increases by private schools, Sakeena Itoo directed formation of joint inspection committees comprising School Education and JKBOSE officials for regular monitoring of both JKBOSE and CBSE-affiliated institutions across Jammu and Kashmir. She warned that strict action would be taken against violators.

“Schools must function with responsibility and transparency. Any attempt to exploit students or parents through unauthorized fee structures will not be tolerated,” the Minister asserted, directing continuous inspections and effective grievance redress mechanisms.

The Minister also instructed JKBOSE to ensure timely declaration of Class 10 results for Summer Zone areas and appreciated reforms undertaken to improve operational efficiency, including textbook availability.

In a detailed presentation, the JKBOSE Chairman highlighted key reforms under NEP-2020, including curriculum development, vocational education integration, inclusive education measures, examination reforms, and digital transformation initiatives.

He informed that 71 out of 89 JKBOSE textbooks have been energized on the DIKSHA digital platform, while around 9 lakh students availed JKBOSE services in the 2025–26 academic year. He also noted that over 51.65 lakh student records have been integrated with DigiLocker.

The Chairman further outlined inclusive education provisions under the RPWD Act, including exemptions, assistive facilities for Divyang students, and relaxation in examination requirements.

He added that major digital initiatives such as e-Office implementation, online services for admissions and examinations, and real-time student data integration have significantly improved efficiency and transparency in the Board’s functioning.

JKBOSE also informed the Minister about upcoming reforms, including dual-level mathematics at secondary stage, expansion of vocational training in collaboration with NCVET, and introduction of Holistic Progress Cards in PM SHRI schools on a pilot basis.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment to equitable and quality education, the Minister urged all stakeholders to ensure a transparent, accountable, and student-friendly education system across Jammu and Kashmir.