A high-level delegation of the Private Schools Association of Jammu & Kashmir (PSAJK), representing institutions from both Jammu and Kashmir divisions, met the Hon’ble Chief Minister on October 24 to discuss key structural challenges faced by private educational institutions in the Union Territory.
The delegation, led by PSAJK President Nazrul Islam Baba, submitted a detailed representation seeking institutional reforms and stronger engagement between the government and the private education sector. One of the key demands was the formation of a permanent Apex Body comprising senior government officials and PSAJK representatives to ensure participatory decision-making.
The Chief Minister, while appreciating the association’s role in educational advancement, principally agreed to the creation of the Apex Body and assured that no major policy decision affecting private schools would henceforth be taken unilaterally.
In continuation of the meeting, a one-day workshop was held today with the participation of incumbent and former district presidents of PSAJK, along with senior educationists from across J&K. The session focused on aligning the Union Territory’s academic calendar and instructional standards with national benchmarks.
Participants highlighted the hidden academic loss caused by fewer working days and shorter instructional hours, which cumulatively disadvantage students in J&K. The workshop concluded with a unanimous call for policy-level protection of instructional time and the restoration of parity with national academic frameworks.
A comprehensive memorandum incorporating the workshop’s recommendations will soon be submitted to the authorities for consideration.