Srinagar, March 31: The Jammu and Kashmir government has attributed the variation in the Pupil Teacher Ratio (PTR) of government schools to the demographic changes and population migrations.
The government has however said that the School Education Department (SED) periodically reviews such situations and appropriate measures including rationalisation of staff and resources is being done to maintain a balanced student-teacher ratio in schools.
The revelation came to fore in a written reply of minister in-charge for education to a question raised by MLA Uri Dr. Sajad Shafi in the Legislative Assembly.
MLA Uri had asked the government if schools under erstwhile SSA schools were opened without proper rationalisation, resulting in the variation in the PTR, particularly in Uri constituency.
The minister in a written reply said that the Primary and Middle Schools established under the erstwhile Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) were opened in accordance with the prescribed distance norms and guidelines with the objective of ensuring universal access to elementary education, particularly in remote and underserved areas.
"However, variations in the student-teacher ratio arise from time to time due to demographic changes, migration of population, and fluctuations in student enrollment," the reply reads.
"SED reviews such situations and appropriate measures, including rationalisation of staff and resources, are taken to maintain a balanced student-teacher ratio in schools," it reads.
The government further informed the House that as per available records, schools in Baramulla district, including Uri Constituency, were presently functioning with an approximate student-teacher ratio of 1:17 at Primary level and 1:20 at Upper Primary level, "which is broadly within the prescribed norms."
"The position is monitored from time to time and necessary adjustments are made, wherever required, in accordance with established guidelines," the reply reads.
The government further said that the Cooks working in government schools have been engaged under PM POSHAN Scheme (Erstwhile Mid Day Meals Scheme) and were being paid a monthly honorarium of Rs.1000 for 10 months in a year, on a sharing pattern of 90:10 (CS:SS).
"As per the scheme they are engaged for preparation of meals only and not for whole day. The engagement of cooks-cum-helpers is governed by the norms and guidelines of the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education," the reply reads.
The government said these cooks were paid a monthly honorarium of Rs 900 under grants provided by the Ministry.
"Further, any enhancement in their honorarium falls within the prerogative of the Government of India," the reply reads.
The government further said that AAYAs have been engaged under Early Childhood Care & Education to support Pre-Primary Children (3 to 6 years of age) in various schools across J&K, on the basis of approval conveyed by the Ministry of Education, Department of School Education & Literacy, GoI under the CSS Samagra Shiksha.
Srinagar, Jan 8: Contractual faculty members working in government degree colleges of Jammu and Kashmir Higher Education Department (HED) have expressed strong resentment over what they term as a glaring disparity in salaries, demanding revision of their pay in line with University Grants Commission (UGC) norms and regularisation of their services. The faculty, many of whom hold PhDs and are qualified through NET, SET and JRF, said they have been denied UGC-recommended pay scales despite discharging academic responsibilities equivalent to their regular counterparts. “Hundreds of highly qualified scholars have been pushed into silent suffering. For years, we have been assured that our pay revision is under consideration, but nothing has materialised so far,” said Dr Ishfaq Gowhar, a contractual faculty member. Earlier, Director Colleges J&K had acknowledged the legitimacy of the faculty’s demand, stating that while the issue was genuine, its implementation involved significant financial implications due to the large number of contractual appointments. “We are aware that they deserve salary enhancement, but the number of contractual faculty is huge and it has financial implications,” he earlier said. Dr Gowhar pointed out that contractual lecturers, who form the backbone of the higher education system, continue to work on a fixed monthly honorarium of Rs 28,000, which has remained unchanged for nearly a decade. “The irony is that a Class IV employee with a Class 10 qualification draws a salary exceeding Rs 50,000, while doctorate-holding teachers engaged in teaching, mentoring and academic research are paid a fraction of that,” he said. He added that institutions such as SKUAST-K, University of Kashmir and Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) have implemented revised UGC pay scales, but the Higher Education Department has failed to extend similar treatment to its contractual faculty. Dr Gowhar said the demand for “equal work, equal pay” gets prominently featured in election campaigns, raising hopes among contractual teachers. “Promises were made and slogans echoed during elections, but once the process ended, our voices were reduced to silence. Even meeting officials now feels impossible,” he said. He said contractual faculty were not seeking privileges but dignity, fairness and recognition for their service. The faculty appealed to the Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the Education Minister to intervene and take concrete steps towards addressing their long-pending demands. “This issue is not merely about salaries. It is about survival, justice and dignity in the classrooms of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
Suhail Khan Baramulla, Jan 6: A young aerospace engineer from Sopore in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district is proving that dedication and ambition can propel one to global heights. Munaf-ul-Raquib who holds a B.Tech in Aerospace Engineering, has gained international recognition for his research on black holes and cosmology. Munaf-ul-Raquib revealed that his paper on the thermodynamics of black holes was recently published in the International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR). “About a year ago, I conducted research on the gravity of black holes and cosmology, which has now been published in IJSR,” he said. He said that since his research was published in the international journal, he has been receiving opportunities from various countries to participate in research dialogues. Raquib added that in the coming months he is scheduled to participate in international conferences in Paris on April 16 and later in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The Sopore aerospace engineer noted that he is also participating in various conferences across different countries. Speaking about his research, Munaf-ul-Raquib addressed a fundamental paradox in astrophysics: how black holes can appear to violate thermodynamic laws, particularly concerning entropy.“If we observe a black hole, it seems to contradict thermodynamic principles,” he said. Using the frameworks of Anti-de Sitter space (AdS) and Conformal Field Theory (CFT), Raqeeb’s research proposes a theoretical model that reconciles black hole mechanics with thermodynamics. “In this paper, I have explained how a black hole can function without violating thermodynamic laws,” he said. He described the achievement as both personal and symbolic. “It is a proud moment for me to represent my state, especially Sopore, on an international platform,” he said. Raqeeb shared that Astrophysics was his childhood dream, and his grandfather encouraged me immensely. "After my grandfather passed away during the Covid-19 pandemic, my parents continued to champion my aspirations. My parents left no stone unturned in helping me pursue my dreams,” he said. He said that his academic path included taking the JEE and later the AME CET entrance exams, through which he secured a seat in aerospace engineering at the Nasik Research Centre. “My parents not only supported me morally but also created an environment where I could pursue my dreams freely,” he said. He emphasized the role of family in nurturing talent. “Just as my parents supported me, it is the responsibility of all parents to help their children follow their dreams.” “Young people should avoid wrong practices. They must dream of a beautiful tomorrow but work hard today to make their parents proud,” he further added.
Srinagar, Jan 12: The Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) will declare the result of class 10th and 12th examination on January 14 of, 2026 (Wednesday), minister for education Sakina Itoo said on Monday. Minister for education Sakina Itoo said the government has decided to declare the result of both the classes-10th and 12th on the same day. "We understand that students have been waiting for the results. So we decided that result of both the classes will be declared on Wednesday (January 16 of 2926)," Sakina Itoo said. She said the meeting of the Result Declaration Committee (RDC) will be convened by the Secretary JKBOE along with the members-Director School Education (DSE) Kashmir and Jammu division besides the joint secretaries as well. "We will give the administrative approval to the result instead of getting approved by the chairman," she said. The announcement comes amid the delay in appointment of chairman JKBOSE as the position is lying vacant for the last one year. "After declaration of the results, we will also appoint the permanent chairman for JKBOSE as well," education minister said. An official from JKBOSE said the class 1oth result will be declared on Wednesday morning followed by the declaration of result of class 12th students in late afternoon on the same day. As per the official figures, 94783 students- 68804 from Kashmir and 25,224 students from winter zone areas of Jammu division besides 660 students from Kargil and 95 from Leh district registered for the class 10th JKBOSE examination this year. Also, the examination for class 11th and 12th students was scheduled from November 19 and November 8 of 2025 respectively. Approximately, 81622 students – 64001 from Jammu and 17621 from winter zone areas of Jammu have registered for class 11th examination while 70117 students—56423 from Kashmir and 13694 from winter zone areas of Jammu have registered for class 12th examination.
Calls for strong academic ecosystem Srinagar, March 6: President of the Private Schools Association Jammu & Kashmir (PSAJK), Dr. Baba Nazrul Islam Friday extended his heartfelt congratulations to the 17 candidates from J&K and Ladakh who successfully cleared the prestigious Indian Administrative Service (IAS) examination. He termed the achievement as a moment of immense pride for the region and a powerful inspiration for the youth. He said that success of these candidates reflect the immense talent, determination, and intellectual potential present among the students of the region. Nazrul Islam Baba emphasised that educational institutions must work collectively to create a robust academic ecosystem that encourages students to aspire for and excel in national-level competitive examinations like the IAS. He stressed that schools should nurture curiosity, discipline, analytical thinking, and leadership qualities from the early stages of education. “Such remarkable achievements demonstrate that our youth possess the capability to compete at the highest national platforms," he said. He said a supportive academic environment, mentorship, and access to quality resources need to be kept available so that more students from J&K and Ladakh can prepare for and succeed in prestigious examinations. PSAJK President further highlighted the need to develop benchmark institutions and academic support systems in the region that can guide and mentor students aspiring for civil services and other competitive examinations. "Creating a culture of excellence and competition within educational institutions will help channelize the talent of the youth towards nation-building roles," he said. He urged educators, parents, and policymakers to work in synergy to foster an environment where students feel motivated to pursue ambitious goals and contribute meaningfully to society. “Every success story from our region becomes a beacon of hope for thousands of young minds. These achievers have shown that with perseverance, dedication, and proper guidance, no dream is beyond reach. Their journey should inspire our students to believe in their abilities and strive for excellence,” he added. PSAJK expressed hope that this achievement will ignite a new wave of aspiration among students across schools in J&K and Ladakh, motivating them to prepare for the country’s most competitive examinations and play a vital role in shaping the future of the nation.
'Results likely to get delayed in absence of Chairman' Jammu, Jan 7: The Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) on Wednesday said the result of the class 10th examinations will be declared soon after the appointment of the Chairman of the Board. The statement comes amid the uncertainty about the declaration of the results by JKBOSE. In an official handout issued here, JKBOSE has advised students not to pay heed to fake links and websites announcing declaration of class 10 results. "Result of class 10th will be declared within few days soon after the appointment of new Chairman," the statement reads. The JKBOSE has stated that the results of annual examination of class 10 of Kashmir valley and winter zone areas of Jammu Division are almost ready. "But its approval by Result Declaration Committee headed by BOSE Chairman is a pre- requisite before its declaration. In absence of the Chairman the results are likely to get a little delayed," it reads. The JKBOSE officials have advised the students to wait for the formal declaration on the official website of the Board- www.jkbose.nic.in. "Students should not get misled by scamesters and fake narratives circulated by some mischievous elements, whose sole aim is to create confusion in the innocent student community," the statement reads.
Srinagar, March 31: The ruling NC MLA Saifullah Mir on Monday came down heavily on the government over the prevailing education system citing that poor and underprivileged students were deprived of quality education in schools. He also criticised the government for its failure to regulate the fee structure of private schools in Jammu and Kashmir. 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.
Muhammad Adnan Srinagar, Mar 28: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Saturday informed the Legislative Assembly that a series of regulatory measures have been put in place to control fee structures in private schools and curb profiteering in the education sector. In a written reply to a query raised by MLA Shamim Firdous, the minister in-charge for education said that under the Jammu and Kashmir School Education Act, 2022, strict provisions have been implemented for the fixation and regulation of fees in private institutions. The House was informed that as per Rule 7 of the J&K Private Schools (Fixation, Determination and Regulation of Fee) Rules, 2022, no private school is allowed to fix, collect, or increase any fee without prior approval from the Fee Fixation and Regulation Committee (FFRC). The government said that the fee structure of private schools is determined on the basis of detailed financial audits to prevent profiteering and ensure that education does not become a commercial enterprise. The government further said that multiple parameters are taken into account while approving fee structures. These include the location of the school, available infrastructure, expenditure on administration and maintenance, and a reasonable surplus required for the institution’s growth and development. The government said that factors such as academic performance, grant-in-aid received, use of modern technology, student strength, and the nature of classes offered are also considered while fixing fees for the private schools. The categorisation of schools based on their location ranging from rural areas to municipal and corporate limits is another key determinant, the government said. The government further said that infrastructure standards play a crucial role in fee determination. "Schools meeting only the minimum prescribed infrastructure are assessed differently from those with enhanced facilities such as additional laboratories, well-equipped libraries, better classroom infrastructure, and adequate sanitation and drinking water facilities," the government said. The government further added that institutions with advanced amenities, including air-conditioned or centrally heated classrooms, smart classrooms, and other modern facilities, are evaluated separately, particularly if they demonstrate consistently high academic performance. The government informed the House that the framework aims to strike a balance between ensuring quality education and protecting parents from arbitrary fee hikes.
Srinagar, Mar 16: Vice Chancellor University of Kashmir (KU) Prof Nilofer Khan on Monday felicitated 11 candidates from its Centre for Career Counselling, Coaching and Placement (CCCP) who qualified the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC) Combined Competitive Examination–2024 (CCE–2024). The ceremony was held at the University Main Campus where Prof. Nilofer Khan, felicitated the successful aspirants for their achievement. The results of the JKPSC CCE–2024 were declared by the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission on March 13, in which 11 candidates from the CCCP Civil Services Residential Coaching Programme of KU secured positions in the merit list. The programme is a flagship initiative of the University aimed at providing structured coaching and academic support to civil services aspirants, particularly those from economically underprivileged sections and female candidates. The programme offers a fully residential academic environment with facilities including free accommodation, a 24×7 library, high-speed internet, structured test series and continuous mentorship to help aspirants prepare for competitive examinations. Congratulating the successful candidates, Vice-Chancellor KU Prof. Nilofer Khan described the achievement as a moment of pride for the University and a testament to the dedication and hard work of the aspirants. She said the University remains committed to strengthening academic support systems that enable young aspirants to compete successfully in prestigious examinations. “I have personally monitored the progress of the Civil Services Residential Coaching Programme and have made frequent visits to the Centre to ensure that the vision behind establishing this initiative is implemented effectively,” Prof. Khan said while appreciating the determination of the successful candidates. Prof. Khan also acknowledged the role of the programme’s Overseeing Committee headed by Dean Research KU Prof. Mohammad Sultan Bhat and comprising Registrar KU Prof. Naseer Iqbal, Director CCCP Prof. Nazir Ahmad, Special Secretary to the VC KU Dr. Ashfaq Zarri and Chief Accounts Officer/FA KU Zafira for their guidance and supervision. She also appreciated the efforts of the other members of CCCP team including Deputy Director CCCP Dr. Yahya Bakhtiyar and Fatima Ali faculty at CCCP for their sustained mentorship and academic support to civil services aspirants. On the occasion, Dean Academic Affairs KU Prof. Shariefuddin Pirzada, Dean Research KU Prof. Mohammad Sultan Bhat, Registrar KU Prof. Naseer Iqbal and Special Secretary to the VC KU Dr. Ashfaq Zarri also shared their views. They highlighted the consistent academic support and mentorship provided by the University through CCCP and congratulated the successful candidates and their families for the remarkable achievement. Earlier Director CCCP KU Prof. Nazir Ahmad, in his remarks, said that the success of the candidates reflects the sustained efforts made by the CCCP team, coordinators, mentors and the Overseeing Committee over the past few years to develop the Centre into a vibrant residential academy dedicated to preparing aspirants for civil services and other competitive examinations. Deputy Director CCCP Dr. Yahya Bakhtiyar proposed vote of the thanks on the occassion whileas Coordinator CCCP Dr Hakim Yasir Abbas conducted the proceedings of the ceremony. On the occasion, the successful candidates also shared their experiences at CCCP and acknowledged the guidance, mentorship and academic support they received at the University which helped them successfully clear the JKPSC CCE–2024 examination.
