NC MLA Saifullah Mir takes on Govt over education system in J&K

Srinagar, Mar 30: National Conference MLA Saifullah Mir on Monday criticised the prevailing education system in Jammu and Kashmir, alleging that poor and underprivileged children are being denied quality education and raising concerns over unregulated fee structures in private institutions.

He flagged “widening inequality” in the education system of J&K, saying that poor children and those from underprivileged backgrounds were being systematically denied access to quality education.

Speaking in the Legislative Assembly while introducing a private member’s bill, Mir Saifullah sought to make it mandatory for private educational institutions including agriculture, paramedical, law and skill development colleges to reserve a fixed percentage of seats for children belonging to Below Poverty Line (BPL) and Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) families.

However, the proposed legislation faced opposition from the government, which urged the MLA to withdraw the bill.

MLA Trehgam, however, termed it a “serious social concern,” and said the growing disparity between rich and poor was creating “a class within a class,” with economically weaker sections increasingly pushed to the margins of the education system.

“There is no financial burden on the government in this proposal. It is purely a social responsibility that needs to be addressed,” he said.

He said that private educational institutions must be made accountable for ensuring inclusivity.

The MLA alleged that exorbitant and unregulated fee structures in private schools and colleges had effectively shut the doors of quality education for poor families.

“Private institutions are charging fees at their own will. There is no regulation, no control. In many cases, fees in private schools exceed the fee structure of government colleges,” he said.

He further pointed out that children from BPL and AAY families were often unable to secure admission in private institutions due to their inability to afford fees, uniforms, books, and transportation.

“A labourer, a poor person, an orphan or a disabled individual simply cannot afford private schooling. This is the harsh reality,” he said.

He said this disparity was directly impacting students’ performance in competitive examinations. “Those who study in private institutions dominate competitive exams, while poor students are left behind due to lack of resources and exposure,” he said.

He highlighted the link between economic barriers and literacy rates and said the inability of poor families to access quality education was a key reason why universal literacy remained elusive.

“If we do not address this issue here in the House, then where will we?” he questioned.

The ruling NC MLA proposed that the government should mandate a 10 to 20 percent reservation for economically weaker sections in all private educational institutions.

“Such a move would not significantly impact these institutions financially. What difference will it make to them if a few poor students are admitted free of cost? But it will make a huge difference in society,” he said.

He further said that even government school teachers and educationists prefer private institutions for their own children.

“No teacher’s or principal’s child studies in a government school. This itself reflects the lack of confidence in the system,” he said.

He also flagged the situation in rural areas, where many families still struggle to send their children to school due to financial constraints.

“They do not have money for books, uniforms, transport or fees. Until this is addressed, inequality will persist,” he added.

he further urged the government, particularly the Chief Minister, to intervene and take corrective measures, warning that failure to act would deepen social divisions and further marginalize the poor population.

“The aim should be to create a level playing field. Otherwise, this divide will only widen,” he said.