Baramulla,  Jan 22: Director Colleges, Prof. (Dr.) Sheikh Ajaz Bashir Thursday convened a comprehensive meeting of Principals of all Government Degree Colleges (GDC) of the Kashmir division. The meeting was convened at Conference Hall of Government Degree College Baramulla to assess academic preparedness, reinforcing governance mechanisms and strengthening student-focused institutional practices across the Division. In his address, the Director Colleges emphasised institutional cohesion, academic discipline and outcome-oriented governance as the foundational pillars for improving the quality of higher education.  A detailed review of the Department’s digital governance was undertaken, reiterating the Planning and Development Portal of the Directorate of Colleges as the sole authenticated platform for institutional data, real-time reporting and delivery of online staff services. Principals were advised to ensure accuracy, regular updating and verification of institutional data to enable informed policy planning. It was also highlighted that the Department’s digital interventions, particularly the engagement of need-based Academic Arrangements during the current academic session, have been widely observed across colleges to significantly enhance operational efficiency, simplify processes and strengthen transparency. The meeting reviewed college-wise performance under the Connect with Policy Planning and Development Initiative, with emphasis on timely data submission and institutional responsiveness. Principals were informed that sustained engagement in data-driven governance will continue to play a critical role in development and administrative decision-making. Institutional development initiatives were deliberated in detail, including the functioning of Institutional Innovation Councils, the expansion of eYantra Labs, the implementation of SWAYAM Local Chapters for the promotion of blended education. The Action Taken Report (ATR) on eYantra was reviewed specifically, during which the Director Colleges directed all eYantra-enabled colleges to constitute one or more student teams for participation in the UT-level Hackathon proposed to be rolled out shortly, and participation of student teams trained by colleges in the national eYantra competitions organised and conducted by IIT Bombay. Student welfare and engagement mechanisms received focused attention, particularly the strengthening of the Mentor–Mentee Programme for academic and psychosocial support, structured sports and co-curricular inclusive framework, and the department’s institutional strategy for countering substance abuse through awareness, vigilance and early identification of vulnerabilities. The Student Integrated Grievance and Messaging Application (SIGMA) portal was reviewed comprehensively, with college-wise registration performance shared. Principals were encouraged to further enhance student onboarding and effective utilisation of the platform to ensure secure and time-bound Messaging to students and timely grievance redressal. The Director Colleges informed the meeting about the rollout of the  Student Connect for Academic Leverage and Excellence (SCALE) initiative, envisioned as a comprehensive student outreach programme to offer continuous guidance on NEP-2020, academic mobility, progression pathways and career planning in all Government Degree Colleges. The meeting also reviewed the status of ongoing developmental works being executed under various budget heads. Principals were advised to maintain close coordination with executing agencies and ensure regular monitoring of project timelines and quality parameters. Concluding the deliberations, the Director Colleges reiterated that teaching and non-teaching staff are the primary drivers of institutional quality and urged Principals to cultivate a supportive and motivated work environment. He called upon all institutions to collectively advance the Department’s mission through transparency, accountability and student-centric governance, so that Government Degree Colleges of Jammu and Kashmir continue to emerge as vibrant centres of academic excellence and societal transformation.

Srinagar, Jan 22: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said the government has resolved the  college allocation issue for selected MBBS candidates of SMVD College. In a post on X, CM Omar Abdullah wrote that with BOPEE now issuing the counselling schedule, students can move ahead with their studies. "The Government has resolved the college allocation issue for selected MBBS candidates of SMVD College. With BOPEE now issuing the counselling schedule, students can move ahead with their studies," the post reads.   Earlier, the National Medical commission had withdrawn the Letter of Permission for MBBS course it had earlier to SMVDIME, citing critical deficiencies in its infrastructure and staff Meanwhile, JK Board of Professional Entrance Examination (BOPEE) issued a notification stating that 50 supernumerary have been created for students of SMVDIME at 7 Government Medical Colleges. As per the notification, eight seats have been created at GMC Anantnag and seven each at GMC Baramulla, GMC Doda, GMC Handwara, GMC Kathua, GMC Rajouri and GMC Udhampur. As per the notification, the BOPEE will conduct the physical round of counselling of these students on January 24 at 11:00 AM.

Srinagar, Jan 21: The School Education Department (SED) has constituted a high-level to examine the issues of fees charged by the private schools operating across Jammu and Kashmir. The move comes amid the complaints pouring in against the private schools for alleged illegal profiteering by way of charging arbitrary fees besides prescribing costly textbooks of private publishers. As per the order issued by the Commissioner Secretary SED Ram Niwas Sharma, the committee will be headed by the Secretary JK Board of School Education (BOSE). The other members of the committee include Additional Secretary SED (member), Joint Director Central SED (Member Secretary) and Administrative Officer of Fee Fixation and Regulation Committee (FFRC). "The committee has been constituted for examining the issues of fee charged by the private schools, and the cost of books, uniforms, shoes provided by the schools to the students," the SED order reads. As per the order, the  committee shall examine as to whether the fees charged by Private Schools as well as the costs of books, uniforms and shoes provided by these schools to students are based on certain verifiable matrices and has a sound justifiable basis. "Further, the committee shall also examine and verify the circumstances and legal basis under which the Fee Fixation and Regulation Committee(FFRC) has mandated payment of transportation fees during the winter vacation in the Kashmir Division," the order reads. Earlier, the parents opposed the FFRC decision allowing private schools to charge 50 percent of the transport fees during winter vacations. As per the SED order, the committee has been asked to submit a detailed report in this regard, including justification, statutory backing and past practice to the Administrative Department, within a period of Thirty (30) days. The committee has been constituted weeks after the minister for education Sakina Itoo convened a high level meeting with the representatives of private school associations and representatives of parents association of private schools.

Srinagar, Jan 21: Green Valley Educational Institute (GVEI) Srinagar on Wednesday organised a felicitation ceremony for the meritorious students of Classes 10 and 12. The ceremony was held at the Ahmad Hall of GVEI to celebrate academic excellence and student achievement. President Private Schools Association J&K (PSAJK) Nazrul Islam Baba was the Chief Guest on the occasion.  More than 100 students from Classes 10 and 12 were felicitated with certificates and medals for securing positions among the top 20 rank holders of their respective classes. The programme witnessed the presence of over 300 parents and students, who actively participated and appreciated the event.  In his address to the the gathering, President PSAJK emphasised the importance of books and reading habits in today’s digital age. He said that despite rapid digitalisation, books remain fundamental to meaningful learning and intellectual growth. He also praised GVEI for its valuable contribution towards society through quality education.  He also acknowledged the vision and leadership of Chairman GVEI Mohammed Yousuf Wani and lauded his continuous efforts in strengthening the educational ecosystem and shaping the future of young learners. On the occasion, the management of GVEI congratulated the achievers and encouraged students to remain dedicated to discipline, perseverance, and academic excellence. The felicitation ceremony concluded on a note of pride, inspiration, and motivation for students, parents, and educators alike.

Srinagar, Jan 21: Trumboo Cement Industries Private Limited (TCI Cement) has awarded a scholarship of Ra one lac to Faizan Majeed Malik, an exceptional student from Handwara, as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme. A company official said that the scholarship recognises Faizan’s remarkable determination and academic achievement. Despite severe financial hardship and having attended school in a tin shed, he secured 488 out of 500 marks in the Class 10 board examinations. The official stated that the financial support is aimed at facilitating Faizan’s pursuit of higher education. He added that the initiative underscores TCI Cement’s commitment to advancing educational opportunities and supporting deserving students from underprivileged backgrounds. (KNS)

Srinagar, Jan 20: The Private Schools Association J&K (PSAJK) on Tuesday sought syllabus relaxation for the students of Jammu division in their upcoming JKBOSE examination. In a statement issued to Kashmir Square, President PSAJK Nazrul Islam Baba reiterated the demand for syllabus relaxation for students of the Jammu Division, particularly in Chinab Valley and Poonch saying that the learning time was significantly compromised in the region. “Parity in education is not negotiable. If learning loss was the yardstick for granting syllabus relaxation in the Kashmir Division, then denying the same relief to Jammu Division students would be discriminatory and academically unethical," Nazrul Islam Baba in a statement said. He further said that students cannot be punished for regional and situational disadvantages beyond their control. "Any deviation from uniform academic relief will only deepen regional disparity and undermine the credibility of the evaluation system," Baba said. He said that PSAJK fully supports the legitimate demands raised by the students from Chinab Valley and Poonch. He urged the Chairman JKBOSE and the Education Minister Sakina Itoo to intervene decisively.

Srinagar, Jan 19: The Department of Chemical Engineering, in collaboration with the Dean Alumni and International Affairs, National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar, on Monday organised an interactive session with renowned innovator and industrialist Dr. Pradeep Tyle, a distinguished alumnus of the institute, under its flagship Life Beyond Classroom (LBC) programme. The interaction, held at the Department of Chemical Engineering, witnessed enthusiastic participation from faculty members, research scholars and students. The programme aimed at bridging the gap between academics and industry by exposing students to real-world industrial experiences, innovation-driven thinking and global professional practices. Dr. Pradeep Tyle, an alumnus of the 1977 batch of Regional Engineering College (REC) Srinagar, now NIT Srinagar, is a globally recognised name in the Flexible Packaging Industry with over four decades of professional experience. Over his distinguished career, he has held several key leadership positions, including Group President – Films Business at UFLEX, and is currently the Founder of PTA Advisors LLP, where he advises multinational corporations on strategy, innovation and growth. With business exposure spanning more than 120 countries, Dr. Tyle is presently serving as an advisor to promoters of packaging companies across the globe. During the interaction, Dr. Tyle highlighted the critical role of innovation in today’s highly competitive global environment. He emphasised that technical knowledge alone is not sufficient and underscored the importance of adaptability, ethical values, exposure and continuous learning. “Innovation is the key driver of growth in the modern world. Students must remain curious, open to new ideas and prepared to evolve with rapidly changing technologies,” he said, encouraging students to think beyond conventional classroom learning. Dr. Tyle also shared insights from his extensive experience across diverse domains, including management, business expansion, sales and marketing, product development and manufacturing. Reflecting on his professional journey from REC Srinagar to becoming a global industry expert, he urged students to remain connected with their alma mater and contribute positively to society while upholding strong human values. The programme was attended by Head of the Department of Chemical Engineering, Dr. F. Q. Mir, along with faculty members including Dr. Mushtaq Ahmad Rather, Dr. Tanveer Rasool and Dr. Malik Parveez. Dr. Tyle was accompanied by his family, who also interacted with the faculty and staff of the institute. The event was jointly organised by the Dean Alumni Office and the Department of Chemical Engineering, with Dr. Harveer Singh Pali, Associate Dean, Alumni and International Affairs, serving as the programme coordinator. During his visit, Dr. Tyle also interacted with in-charge Director NIT Srinagar Prof. Roohie Naaz Mir, and discussed various academic, research and industry–institute collaboration opportunities. He later visited the laboratories of the Department of Chemical Engineering and interacted with Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Dr. M. Hanief, Prof. Adnan Qayoum and other faculty members. Dr. Tyle lauded the sustained efforts of Prof. M. A. Shah, Dean Alumni and International Affairs, for strengthening alumni engagement and building a vibrant global alumni network of NIT Srinagar. He appreciated the initiatives taken by the Alumni Office to reconnect former students with the institute and create meaningful platforms for mentorship, knowledge sharing and collaboration. Later, Dr. Tyle and his family visited the Training and Placement Department, where he met Head, Training and Placement, Prof. A. A. Mir. The discussion focused on enhancing placement and internship opportunities for students and strengthening industry engagement. Dr. Tyle offered several suggestions to expand industry linkages and improve student employability. He also met Dr. Sheikh Shahid Saleem and other officials to deliberate on further collaboration initiatives.

Jammu, Jan 17: Commissioner Secretary Higher Education, Ram Niwas Sharma Saturday called upon the young students to be drivers of change and emerge as Job givers rather than job seekers in near future. He was sapeaking during National Technical Conclave on India Semi-Conductor Mission (ISM) at Government College of Engineering and Technology (GCET), Jammu. The Conclave is being organised by GCET Jammu in technical collaboration with IIT Kharagpur and close association with Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and department of Industries and Commerce, J&K Government. Ram Niwas Sharma said that capacity building of faculty was must as per the emerging technologies and developments. Earlier in her address at the occasion, MLA Nagrota Deyyani Rana said that the students and youth of J&K were talented and have proven their mettle in every field. She encouraged the students to actively engage in this Conclave as chip design and semiconductor technologies will be key drivers of future employment and innovation. She also stressed on importance of internships for young students in technological sector especially in emerging technologies, adding that to be competitive and employable is very important in present day technological job market. Earlier, in her welcome address, Director and Principal, GCET, Dr. Sameeru Sharma enlightened the audience about the broad contours of this National Conclave. Director, India Semi-Conductor Mission, in his address spoke in length about the objectives of ISM. The Conclave will feature technical sessions, expert talks and interactive discussions with academicians, industry experts, and policymakers, focusing on opportunities and challenges under the India Semiconductor Mission. Director School Education Jammu Naseem Javaid Choudhary, Director Technology at ISM Dr. Manish Kumar Hooda,  Director and Principal GCET Jammu Dr. Sameeru Sharma, experts from IIT Jammu, Keynes technologies, senior faculty members of the college and large number of students were also present on the occasion.

Jammu, Jan 16: The Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) official website, www.jkbose.nic.in, will remain temporarily inaccessible for a period of four to five days from January 19, 2026. As per a public notice issued by the JKBOSE, the temporary shutdown is being undertaken to upgrade the system in accordance with revised operational requirements.  "Consequently, all online facilities hosted on the website will remain unavailable during this period," the JKBOSE notice reads. The services that will remain suspended include submission of re-evaluation applications and requests for photocopies of answer scripts, among others. JKBOSE has regretted the inconvenience caused to students, parents and stakeholders and has appealed for patience and cooperation until the upgradation process is completed and services are resumed.

Srinagar, Jan 15: After the Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (BOSE) declared the result of the class 10th and 12th annual (regular) examinations, the whole focus shifted to the achievers, particularly the toppers. Amidst the appreciation and celebrations for the successful candidates, a stark reality has emerged in society that none of the stakeholders talk about those students who could not pass the examination. This emerging trend has become dangerous for the young students particularly the average performers or those who do not pass the exam in their first attempt. Amid this, a government school teacher has put forth a clear message for the parents of those children who could not qualify the JKBOSE exams. Aasima Jan, a government school teacher from Baramulla district said that expectations of the parents should not make the students victim of depression. She believes that the parents must stand by their children who could not qualify the JKBOSE exams or qualified it with average grades. After the announcement of the results, some students qualified the exams with good marks in class 10th and 12th exams while qualified with average grades while some could not qualify the exams. "Those parents whose children either took less marks or could not qualify for the exam, must be a little upset with their children. As a parent, it is natural to feel disappointed when your child does not come up to your expectations," Aasima Jan said. She however said that the high expectations of parents should not make the child a victim of depression. "Class 10th exam is just a first step in the educational journey of these children. This is not the end of life. Life will provide more opportunities, with more chances and more ways to excel," Aasima Jan said. She said the parents must support their child at this time deal with this setback. "If parents support their child at this time, their kids will bounce back more stronger in future. Parents must tell their children that failures are not opposite to success but are actually part of success," she said. She said there were many people who did not qualify normal exams but proved their worth in life after facing setbacks. "Parents must put in their efforts. Embrace their child, support them instead of letting them down," she said. As the JKBOSE declared the result of class 10th and 12th class examination, the stakeholders and society at large pour praise and attention on the top performers while there was a deafening silence surrounding those who do not pass the examination. The move raised a serious concern, particularly about the way children are being brought up. It raised big question that: “Are we preparing our students to be strong enough to cope with the failure?”

Srinagar, Jan 15: The Chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Civil Society Forum (JKCSF), Abdul Qayoom Wani, has welcomed and appreciated the timely declaration of Class 10th and 12th examination results. He also expressed his satisfaction over the pass percentage of the students in both the classes. In a statement issued to Kashmir Square, Wani said that the achievement reflects the effective coordination and dedicated efforts of the School Education Department. He extended due credit to the Education Minister, Secretary School Education besides the Secretary and Chairman JKBOSE, along with the former Director G N Itoo and the present Director Naseer Ahmad Wani , for ensuring transparency, efficiency, and adherence to timelines in the declaration of results. The JKCSF Chairman further emphasised that the improved pass percentage was a clear outcome of the hard work, perseverance, and discipline of the students, which deserves the highest appreciation. He also acknowledged the contribution of teachers and parents in guiding students through their academic journey. Wani expressed hope that the education system in Jammu and Kashmir will continue on this positive trajectory, focusing on quality, fairness, and student-centric reforms in the years ahead.

Congratulates students who qualified class 10, 12 exams Srinagar, Jan 14: The minister for education Sakina Itoo on Wednesday congratulated all the students who qualified the class 10th and 12th examinations, the result of which was declared by JK Board of School Education (JKBOSE) on Wednesday. In her video message to the students, the education minister expressed her happiness over the pass percentage of the students in class 10th and 12th examination. "I am happy to see the pass percentage of students and hope that these students will continue their hard work with the same zeal and excel in their future," Sakina Itoo said. She however said that the students who could not qualify the class 10th and 12th JKBOSE examination must not lose their hope. "Those who could not qualify the exams should not get discouraged but they should move on and work hard. Not qualifying the exam is not the end, these students should remain motivated and make another attempt to qualify the exams so that they can move ahead in their life," she said. The pass percentage of class 10th examination was recorded as 85.03 percent as out of 94845 students who appeared in the exams, 80650 qualified it. The pass percentage of class 12th examination was 84.02 percent as out of 70735 students who appeared in the exams, 59435 students qualified it. "This is a good percentage and I am satisfied that the result of both the classes was declared within a time bound manner. We declared the results of both the classes on the same day which is an achievement of the government," she said. She said results of both the classes were declared on time to enable students to complete the admission formalities in their higher classes without any delay. This was the second time in the last one year that the JKBOSE declared the result of two classes on the same day. Chairman JKBOSE Ghulam Hassan Sheikh said they had prepared a proper plan for timely declaration of the result for the classes. "The pass percentage is far better than that of previous classes. Maybe the 15 percent relaxation in syllabus helped the students to score good marks," he said. He said the JKBOSE was trying its best to improve and come to the expectations of the students. "Last year we created a history by declaring the result of two classes on the same day and this year we repeated the process. We tried our best that students must not face any difficulties in checking their results," Chairman JKBOSE said.