Srinagar, Feb 10: The Fee Fixation and Regulation Committee (FFRC) has directed private schools not to charge any transport fee during winter or summer vacations if transport facilities are outsourced or hired from third parties. In a fresh circular issued by chairman FFRC Justice (Retd) Sunil Hali, the schools have been warned of strict action including penalties and de-affiliation, for non-compliance of the instructions. The circular has been issued after the committee received complaints that several private schools were collecting transport charges during vacations despite not owning their transport facilities. "Some schools operating buses through contractual arrangements with third parties are charging up to 50 percent of the transport fee during vacation periods, in violation of existing orders," the fresh circular reads. As per the circular, FFRC through its order issued on June 30, 2025, has stated that the schools that do not own and operate their transport facilities are explicitly barred from collecting any transport fee during vacations. "It is hereby directed that private schools shall charge 50 percent transport fee only where the transport facilities are owned and operated by the school itself," FFRC circular reads. It reads that no transport fee shall be charged during the winter or summer vacations, in case where the transport facilities are outsourced or hired from third parties and are operated under a contractual agreement "Any fee collected by the private school on this behalf shall be refunded to the parents forthwith, failing which appropriate action under law shall be taken against the school, including imposition of a penalty of one percent of the total revenue and also de‑affiliation of the school," the FFRC circular reads. Th instructions must be strictly complied with by the private schools, the FFRC circular reads.

Srinagar, Feb 9: The University of Kashmir (KU) is scheduled to hold its 21st Convocation on February 26, 2026. The Vice President of India, C P Radhakrishnan, is expected to attend as the chief guest on the occasion. The convocation was earlier scheduled in the last week of December 2025 but could not be conducted due to official reasons. Officials said that the Convocation was deferred as there was no confirmation about the availability of the Chief Guest for the event. In wake of this, the varsity earlier deferred the announcement of winter vacations for main campus and the satellite campuses as well.  University officials now confirmed to Kashmir Square that 21st convocation will be held on February 26, 2026. “We have got the confirmation about the availability of the President C. P. Radhakrishnan to attend the convocation. He will deliver the convocation address,” a KU official said. He said the ceremony will be held at the Convocation Complex of the Hazratbal campus. KU also issued a fresh circular and informed the students registered for their felicitation at the event. "All the registered students for the upcoming 21st Convocation of the University of Kashmir, scheduled for 26.02.2026, are hereby informed that they shall collect their respective convocation gowns from February 16 to 20, 2026, at the designated counters in Committee Room No. 204 on the 2nd Floor of the New Administration Block, during working hours," a KU circular reads. It reads that the convocation gowns shall be issued by the Estates Department (University of Kashmir) against valid identity proof (preferably Aadhaar Card) and a refundable security deposit of Rs. 500 per student. "The security deposit shall be refunded upon proper return of the issued gowns from March 2 to 3, 2026," the circular reads. The concerned students have been further advised to strictly adhere to the above instructions to avoid any inconvenience. The KU officials said the preparations for the event were in full swing. "The ceremony will include the conferment of degrees to students who have successfully completed their academic programmes, along with medals and awards for outstanding academic performance," a KU official said. University authorities are coordinating with civil administration and security agencies to ensure the smooth conduct of the event. Logistical arrangements, including seating, traffic management, security, and hospitality, are being meticulously planned in view of the high-profile visit.

Srinagar, Feb 8: The District Level Prerana Utsav 2026 was conducted on Saturday at the auditorium of Kendriya Vidyalaya Srinagar. The event marked a significant milestone in fostering experiential learning, national integration, and youth empowerment under the visionary Prerana initiative of the Ministry of Education, Government of India. The event, organised as a gateway to the transformative Prerana program — a one-week residential experiential learning journey at Vadnagar, Gujarat — brought together talented students from government and private schools across District Srinagar. It celebrated the spirit of inspiration (Prerana), cultural heritage, self-awareness, and contribution to a Viksit Bharat (Developed India). The program was graced by distinguished dignitaries, including N K Pandey DIG BSF, Panthachowk, as the chief guest, Ghulam Mohi-ud-din Bhat Chief Education Officer Srinagar, Surinder Kumar Principal Kendriya Vidyalaya No. 3 and Nodal Officer CBSE along with Nazrana Nodal Officer for Prerana Utsav, escort lecturers, masters, teachers; and enthusiastic students. In his address, DIG BSF, congratulated the participants for emerging as school-level winners and now representing their institutions at the district level. He described the event as the beginning of a new journey, where selected students would gain exposure to best practices at the national level. "We are committed to the welfare of our students — each one is important to us," he said. He underscored the pivotal role of educators in nation-building and commended Ghulam Mohi-ud-din Bhat for his exemplary efforts in uniting government and private schools on a single platform. Pandey also appreciated Srinagar's outstanding contributions to Veer Gatha 5.0 and Vidyanjali campaigns. He lauded the dedicated team of Principal Surinder Kumar and specially acknowledged Nazrana for her consistent coordination of the program in Srinagar since last year. Surinder Kumar, Principal of Kendriya Vidyalaya delivered the welcome address, providing insightful details about the Prerana Utsav and its alignment with national goals of experiential learning and youth inspiration. Ghulam Mohi-ud-din Bhat, Chief Education Officer Srinagar in his address, praised the tireless dedication of educators and administrators from both government and private sectors in nurturing holistic student development. He highlighted Prerana Utsav as a powerful platform that equips students to become meaningful contributors to Viksit Bharat, while promoting national integration through peer learning and exposure to best practices from across the country. In recognition of his outstanding leadership and contributions, Ghulam Mohi-ud-din Bhat Chief Education Officer Srinagar was felicitated for his exemplary guidance, and Nazrana was honored for her pivotal role in coordinating several national integration programs, including Prerana Utsav. Expressing gratitude, Nazrana thanked DIG BSF N K Pandey for his valuable time and meaningful interaction with the students. She extended appreciation to Zonal Nodal Officers (ZNOs), participating schools, escort educators, and students for their collective efforts in making the event a resounding success. She also urged DIG BSF to extend support to the Vidyanjali campaign in District Srinagar.She thanked Principal K .V no.3 and his team. A total of 30 outstanding students — 15 boys and 15 girls — were selected during the event, earning the opportunity to advance toward national-level participation in the prestigious Prerana program.

Srinagar, Feb 5: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Thursday informed the Legislative Assembly that the Public Administration subject was offered in a limited manner across several universities and Government Degree Colleges across J&K. The House was informed that the low student enrollment has restricted its wider expansion. In a written reply to a question raised by MLA Irfan Hafeez Lone, Minister in-charge Higher Education Department Sakina Itoo informed the House that at present Public Administration is being taught at the undergraduate level in 14 GDCs across the Union Territory. These include Srinagar Women’s College Zakura, Government Sheikh-ul-Alam Memorial Degree College Budgam, Government Degree College for Women Kathua, Government Women’s College Baramulla, Government Degree College Doda, Imtiyaz Memorial Government Degree College Shopian, Government Degree College Udhampur, Government Degree College Tangmarg, Government Degree College Anantnag, Abdul Ahad Azad Memorial College Bemina, Government Degree College Tral, Government Degree College Baramulla, Government College for Women Parade Ground Jammu and Amar Singh College Srinagar. The Minister further said that recent admissions in Public Administration ranged from as low as one student in Srinagar Women’s College Zakura to 83 students at Amar Singh College Srinagar, with several colleges reporting enrollments below the prescribed minimum. “The student enrollment in Public Administration in most of the colleges is well below the adequate level, indicating limited demand for the subject at present,” the Minister informed the House. "Wherever enrollment remained below the minimum threshold of 10 students, the programme was not offered during the academic session," the minister said. Sakina Itoo said the focus of the Higher Education Department remains on improving enrollment levels and ensuring optimal utilisation of resources in colleges where the course is already functional. She further said that introduction of new courses or subjects was strictly demand-driven. “Once a college identifies sufficient student interest, it submits a formal proposal to the department, which is examined subject to availability of infrastructure, faculty and other required resources,” she said. Regarding universities, the minister said that Public Administration is already being offered at the undergraduate level in certain affiliated colleges, while the University of Kashmir has introduced a Master’s Programme in Public Administration (MPA) in 2023 with an approved intake of 30 students, marking a phased expansion of the discipline at the postgraduate level.

JAMMU, Feb 03: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha on Tuesday emphasised the need for forward-thinking teachers who can equip students for tomorrow's uncertainties, like Artificial Intelligence (AI) disruptions, climate shifts, inspire to pioneer breakthroughs and fuel a dynamic and innovation-driven economy. The Lieutenant Governor was speaking at the “Inspirational Teachers Award" ceremony organized by Amar Ujala Group at Padma Shri Padma Sachdev Government College for Women, Gandhi Nagar, Jammu. At the ceremony, a total of 101 best inspirational teachers from various schools across Jammu were honoured with the prestigious Award. In his address, the Lieutenant Governor lauded the valuable contribution of teaching community in shaping the character and cultivating the talents that boldly reshape the future at full throttle, equipping young students with skills and courage to brave an unpredictable world. “I believe teachers and their craft form the backbone of a society and the soul of the nation,” he said. The Lieutenant Governor said that like a master artisan at the forge, teacher knows learning ignites from sheer curiosity. “Inspirational teachers avoid rote learning and they weave science into captivating tales that electrify the classroom and for them history transcends mere dates and timelines, blooming into vivid sagas of human triumphs and tumbles,” he said. The Lieutenant Governor highlighted that we need more inspirational teachers who can transform students from passive listeners into intrepid explorers. “Teachers are bedrock of tomorrow. A classroom is not just four walls and a blackboard. A classroom is the glowing forge of a blacksmith, where raw futures are hammered and shaped anew. I envision classrooms where teachers don't merely dispense bookish answers but ignite inquiry with probing questions," LG Sinha said. He said to forge a knowledge economy and vibrant society, teachers must transform learners from passive consumers of information into sharp analysts who dissect it. The Lieutenant Governor exhorted upon the teachers to cultivate a culture of collaboration in their classrooms. “The truth is, tomorrow's world belongs to those who work as a team. So, we need to turn classrooms into collaboration hubs, where research, writing, and innovation unfold as collective quests,” he said. The Lieutenant Governor further advised the teaching community to think beyond the curriculum's rigid map. He said that curriculum offers mere direction, but creativity and curiosity propel students toward life's true readiness. The Lieutenant Governor said that a teacher must tie learning to life itself, so every day sparks fresh discoveries and generates further curiosity. “In this AI era, teaching isn't about rote delivery but nurturing creativity. I believe humanity's greatest asset in future will be innovative and creative thinking. I want our teachers to break down preconceived boundaries and offer every student not just knowledge but unlimited possibilities,” he said. Vice Chancellor University of Jammu Prof Umesh Rai, Vice Chancellor, Cluster University of Jammu Prof. K.S. Chandrasekar, Commissioner Secretary School Education Department Ram Niwas Sharma, Divisional Commissioner Jammu Ramesh Kumar, Deputy Commissioner Jammu Dr Rakesh Minhas, Editor, Amar Ujala Mahendra Tiwari, Unit Head Naresh Sharma and other senior office bearers of Amar Ujala Group, heads of educational institutions, teachers, families of awarded teachers and students attended the award ceremony.

Srinagar, Feb 02: The Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) Monday held its 12th meeting of the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) at the main campus. The meeting was chaired by the Vice-Chancellor and attended by the Dean Academic Affairs, Registrar, Controller of Examinations, Dean Outreach, Deans of Schools, faculty members, University officers, external members, and a student representative. Welcoming the members, Chairperson emphasized the critical role of IQAC in strengthening academic quality, governance, transparency, sustainability, and student-centric services in the university. The quarterly meeting of the 12th IQAC highlights the leadership’s commitment to periodic quality review of various issues in the University. Director DIQA Dr. Peer Bilal apprised the committee of key institutional achievements during 2025. IUST secured first time entry in three categories of NIRF-2025. The University was also conferred the 6th National Water Award in the Best Institution category for its initiatives in water conservation. The Director also presented major academic and institutional milestones, including the introduction of new undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in emerging and interdisciplinary areas, a nearly 70 percent increase in student admissions over the past two years, and placements reaching 75 percent. Significant progress in research and innovation has been achieved this academic year with faculty publishing 376 Scopus-indexed research papers, attracting 9,975 citations, and the University’s Scopus h-index rising to 75. During 2025, 35 patents were published and granted, and IUST retained its 4-Star rating under the Ministry of Education’s Institutions Innovation Council framework. The IQAC reviewed the Action Taken Report of the 11th IQAC meeting and deliberated on agenda items including a Gender Audit, strengthening of the Plagiarism Policy with AI-related provisions, adoption of a University-wide Waste Management Policy, review of the Student Satisfaction Survey, and implementation of a uniform examination pattern.

Srinagar, Feb 02: The University of Kashmir (KU) on Monday organised a felicitation ceremony to honour its former Professor and eminent Kashmiri litterateur, Prof Shafi Shauq. Prof Shauq was recently conferred the prestigious Padma Shri by the Government of India on the eve of the 77th Republic Day in recognition of his outstanding contribution to education and literature especially for preservation and promotion of Kashmiri language. The ceremony, held at the Main University campus, witnessed the presence of senior University functionaries and faculty members who gathered to celebrate the illustrious academic and literary journey of Prof Shauq, an alumnus of the University and one of its most distinguished faculty members. The Padma Shri, one of the highest civilian honours of the country, acknowledges his decades-long dedication to education and literature including preservation, promotion and enrichment of the Kashmiri language. Vice-Chancellor, KU Prof Nilofer Khan, while presiding over the felicitation ceremony, remarked that Prof Shauq had embodied the spirit of interdisciplinary education much before it found articulation in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. “Prof. Shauq has made a great contribution to the promotion and enrichment of the Kashmiri language and literature. His academic work and teaching reflected the multidisciplinary spirit that the NEP 2020 talks about today, much before it formally came into place,” she observed. Congratulating the awardee, the Vice-Chancellor said the University takes immense pride in having produced such stalwarts who have brought laurels not only to the institution and Jammu & Kashmir but to the nation at large. She added that the honour felt like recognition of the University itself and reflected the collective efforts bearing fruit, be it in NIRF rankings or the recent A++ grade awarded by NAAC. Prof Khan further expressed the University’s keen interest in engaging Prof Shauq in some capacity as a mentor to guide students and scholars, particularly in the School of Arts, Culture and Languages. In his remarks Prof Shafi Shauq expressed deep gratitude to the University administration, describing the University of Kashmir as a family that has always nurtured and acknowledged his hard work and dedication. “I never worked with the expectation of awards or recognition; I wrote because I loved to write,” he said, adding that his passion for literature had always been his greatest motivation. Sharing personal anecdotes from his long association with the University, Prof Shauq recalled his appointment in 1978 in KU and spoke about continuing the legacy of hard work, particularly in lexicographical pursuits such as dictionary writing. He credited noted scholar, Linguist and writer George Abraham Grierson as his inspiration, saying he consciously followed in his footsteps while shaping his academic and literary journey. Various speakers including Dean Academic Affairs KU Prof Shariefuddin Pirzada, Registar Prof Naseer Iqbal and Dean, School of Arts, Culture and Languages Prof Aejaz Mohammad Sheikh in their remarks, highlighted Prof Shauq’s profound literary and academic contributions, particularly his role in strengthening Kashmiri language studies which they said left a lasting impact on generations of learners and researchers. The proceedings of the felicitation ceremony were conducted by the  Special Secretary to the Vice Chancellor KU, Dr Ashfaq Zarri who also shared his reflections on the occasion and the inspirational legacy of the Padma Shri awardee.

Jammu, Feb 1: A five-day workshop on development of teacher resources for the classroom transition of learning outcomes concluded at J&K State Council of Educational Research and Trainings (JKSCERT). The workshop was organised at the SCERT Jammu division under the leadership of Director School Education Jammu Dr. Naseem Javaid Chowdhary who is also holding the additional charge of Director JKSCERT J&K and the guidance of Prof. (Dr.) Sindhu Kapoor, Joint Director, SCERT Jammu Division. The programme commenced with a formal inaugural session featuring a welcome address by Arti Gupta, Assistant Professor, while the concept  note was presented by Deepak Kumar and key note address was delivered by Vinod Kumar Bhat, Associate professor, and address by  Joint Director, SCERT Jammu Division.  Academic sessions covered key themes including NCF-FS 2023 and NCF-SE, Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS), Panchaadi, Science curriculum and learning outcomes, integration of subjects, and career guidance tools. Sessions were facilitated by Arti Gupta, Manu Vasudeva, Amit Sharma, Yogesh Kumar, Sushil Hitaishi, Amit Bhagat, and Deepak Kumar. Around 50 teachers and masters from across the Jammu Division participated in the workshop. The workshop was coordinated by Deepak Kumar with Amit Sharma and Amit Bhagat while Kavya Sharma efficiently moderated the proceedings. The workshop concluded with a valedictory ceremony and distribution of participation certificates and a formal Vote of thanks

Srinagar, Jan 30: Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir inaugurated an Advanced Entrepreneurship and Skill Development Programme (ESDP) on “Spawn and Ready-to-Fruit Bags of Oyster Mushroom” at its Shalimar campus.  The week-long program, organised by SKUAST-K’s Division of Plant Pathology and sponsored by the Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of India, is designed to transform aspiring scholars and farmers into successful entrepreneurs. The inaugural ceremony was presided over by Prof Haroon Naik, Director Research and Director Planning & Monitoring, Prof. Rehana Kant, Director Extension, and Prof. Ali Anwar, Head, Division of Plant Pathology. Chief Guest Prof. Haroon Naik underscored the pivotal role SKUAST-K plays in nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs through MSME-sponsored initiatives. He credited the university’s rapid ascent as a premier agricultural institution to the visionary leadership of Vice-Chancellor Prof. Nazir A. Ganie, whose focus on skill-based programs has opened new doors for the region's youth. Prof Rehana Kant termed the training a "gateway to success," urging participants to leverage these skills to create sustainable livelihoods and carve out a niche in the competitive market. Echoing this sentiment, Prof. Ali Anwar highlighted the necessity of adapting to global standards in research and innovation to remain relevant in a fast-evolving agribusiness landscape. Distinguished guests Prof MY Ghani and Prof Qazi Nissar elaborated on the specific economic potential of "Ready-to-Fruit" bags, identifying them as a highly accessible livelihood option for women and rural enterprises. The program coordinator, Dr Vaseem Yousuf, provided a technical roadmap of the course, including hands-on training for modern spawn production and climate control systems.

Srinagar, Jan 30: Ishrat Riyaz, PhD Scholar of SKUAST-K’s Division of Genetics & Plant Breeding (GPB), Faculty of Agriculture Wadura has been awarded prestigious INSPIRE Fellowship by Department of Science and Technology, Government of India.  Ishrat, who is working  under the guidance of Prof Parvaze A Sofi, Head, Division of GPB SKUAST-K, has been awarded the competitive fellowship on the basis of her research proposal for her PhD where she will be evaluating the national core set and landrace diversity of beans of Kashmir Valley for morphological, nutritional and climate adaptive traits using an integrated phenotyping approach combined with multi-omics platforms. Ishrat has been earlier awarded University Gold Medal in UG and also overseas fellowship to Kansas State University under NAHEP. She has published in high impact journals including Scientific Reports, Plant Genetic Resources, Genetic Resources & Crop Evolution. Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-K, Prof Nazir Ahmad Ganai,  congratulated the student, Dean FOA Prof Shakil A Mir and her mentor and hoped that her achievements will inspire the research scholars to excel in their academic and research pursuits. 

Says Govt's failure forced parents towards private schools Srinagar, Jan 30: The Jammu and Kashmir High Court has said that the failure of the public education system has led to the mushroom growth of  private  institutions. In a judgment ordered with regard to several petitions filed by a group of private schools regarding the orders issued by the Fee Fixation and the Regulation Committee (FFRC), the High Court in its judgment observed that unemployed educated youth have taken up  this private education for earning their livelihood. "The elements of profit-making and employment generation involved in establishing private institutions by making substantial investment cannot be ignored," the judgment reads. It reads that private schools have come to play a significant  role in school education in India. "Various factors, such as the increasing demand for quality education, the expansion of the middle class, and the  perceived  inadequacies   of the public education system, have  contributed to this trend," it reads. The judgment while referring to the data from the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO), said the proportion of children enrolled in  private schools in India has been steadily increasing over the years. "In 2017- 18, the  proportion of children studying in private schools  was 36.3%, up from 19.3% in  2007- 08. This  trend is particularly  pronounced in urban  areas, where a large proportion of children go to private schools. There is an  upward trend seen even in rural areas," it reads. "While there may be instances of commercialization of school  education and profiteering in urban and semi-urban areas, the same may not be true of small schools established in rural areas by the educated unemployed youth," it reads. The judgment reads that the private schools Elite private schools are   often affiliated with International Boards and offer curricula oriented   towards global standards. "On the other hand, low-cost private schools cater to families who cannot afford the high fees charged by elite schools but still wish to provide their children a quality education,  which  the public  school system has failed to deliver," it reads. The judgment reads that these schools typically offer a basic or primary-level  curriculum  and are often unregulated. "Mid-range private schools fall  somewhere in between and cater  to the growing middle class," it reads It reads that the proportion of children attending private schools in J&K is quite high (43.6%) as compared  to other States, as is revealed  by the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER), 2022. "The mushroom growth of private schools in Jammu and Kashmir, like in many other States, is largely as a result of the failure of the public  school education system," it reads. "Private schools have out-performed public schools in terms of students' learning outcomes and in providing basic infrastructure such  as classrooms, toilets, and drinking water facilities. They have also  been found to be more efficient with respect to teacher absenteeism  and financial management." The judgment reads that it is an undeniable fact that private schools have been providing quality education in the country, whereas the   public education system is often criticised for its inefficiencies. "Once it is conceded that private education has emerged as a robust alternative to public education, it becomes necessary for the Government to extend support to private institutions, particularly  those catering to economically disadvantaged students or offering programmes not available in public institutions," it reads. "We are not suggesting, even for a moment, that privatisation of education should be done at the cost of public education.  Both public and private education systems are necessary to meet the diverse educational needs of a country like India." The judgment reads that it needs to be borne in mind by the government that the private education system is not merely supplementing the public education system but is, in fact, on the verge of supplanting it. "There is, therefore, a dire need to invest in the public education system and to ensure that the quality of education and infrastructure  provided in government schools matches with the schools in the private sector," it reads "We cannot forget that even the activity of establishing a private educational institution, which has been termed by the Supreme Court as an occupation, has become highly competitive in nature, and citizens have a choice to go to a school of their choice, subject, of course, to their paying capacity." It reads that the compulsion of citizens to go to private schools is not created by private schools but "is the doing of the government, which has failed to deliver through its public education system."

Srinagar, Jan 29: In a significant development, Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has launched a new programme- B.Sc. Fabric and Apparel Design Programme under the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme from the year 2026. As per the handout issued here, the programme has been launched with an aim to provide comprehensive knowledge and skills related to fabric production, apparel manufacturing processes, quality control and supply chain management. "The new programme will also help in product development, to educate students in textile science, fashion design, and garment construction," the handout reads. As per the handout, the objective of this programme is to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the fabric and apparel manufacturing industry, equip students with the technical knowledge and skills necessary for fabric and apparel production, develop students' expertise in manufacturing processes specific to the fabric and apparel industry. "Students will get to know how to ensure quality standards in fabric and apparel manufacturing.  the clothing/boutique sector," it reads. The programme follows the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020 guidelines, offering a flexible and multidisciplinary approach to fashion education. "The programme is recognised by the UGC and AIU, putting it at par with regular university degrees and making graduates eligible for both government and private sector jobs globally," regional Director, IGNOU, Regional Centre Srinagar,  Dr. A H.  Rizvi said. "This programme has got tremendous job opportunities like textile, fabric designer, fashion designer, apparel pattern maker and technical designer," the handout reads. The course has entrepreneur and start-up opportunities besides making students pursue their career as fashion illustrator, fashion merchandiser, visual merchandiser, fashion educator and has got the Entrepreneur and Start-up Opportunities as well. "The programme will be on offer from the January 2026 admission cycle which is presently going on," the official handout reads. Eligible students have been advised to register in this programme and apply through the link https://ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in.