Srinagar, October 14: Education Minister Sakina Itoo on Wednesday said a committee would be formed to look into complaints against private schools allegedly pressuring parents to buy textbooks from selected bookshops. She said strict action would follow if any violation was found.
Speaking after a meeting with private school representatives, parent groups, NGOs and officials, Itoo said parents must be free to purchase books from any shop of their choice. Schools should not force them to buy books from specific sellers or put an unnecessary financial burden on families.
The minister said books apart from those prescribed by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) could help students gain additional knowledge, but they should not be made compulsory for financial reasons. She noted that around 85 per cent of the syllabus was similar and said extra books should be encouraged only when they served an educational purpose and students were interested in them.
The proposed committee will include representatives of parents, private schools, NGOs, intellectuals and government departments. It will review complaints and recommend action wherever allegations are established.
Itoo said the meeting also covered the quality of education, textbooks and the examinations scheduled for November. She added that the department was working to resolve concerns and improve education standards across Jammu and Kashmir. Schools have also been connected virtually to improve coordination and address issues.
Regarding revised school timings, the minister said schools within municipal limits would begin at 10 am, while those in rural areas would start at 10:30 am.
On a complaint over the death of a woman in Sheikhpora allegedly due to the absence of medical staff, Itoo said allegations of medical negligence were examined by the government. She added that action would be taken if an inquiry established that a doctor’s negligence had led to a death.
