Week after new session, Govt wakes up to issue of overpriced textbooks of private schools

Kashmir Governance

Posted by admin_kas on 2025-11-12 19:58:53 | Last Updated by admin_kas on 2025-11-13 10:24:40

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Education minister directs CEOs to conduct routine checks and take stringent against schools, book shops involved in selling textbooks on exorbitant rates 

Muhammad Adnan

Srinagar, Nov 12: The Jammu and Kashmir government has woken up to the issue about the 'unregulated sale' of textbooks of private publishers prescribed by private schools for students across Kashmir.

Over the last week, there is an outcry over sale of overpriced textbooks of private publishers prescribed by the private schools.

In wake of this, the minister for education, Sakina Itoo has issued strict instructions to Chief Education Officers (CEOs) to check "unregulated selling" of school textbooks by private schools through various agencies on exorbitant rates.

“Conduct routine checks on schools as well as book shops and take stringent against schools and book shops involved in selling textbooks on exorbitant rates," the minister for education asked the offciers.

She issued these instructions while chairing a review meeting of the School Education Department (SED) across Kashmir division.

During the meeting, she also instructed the Director School Education Kashmir to issue a detailed order regarding curriculum and textbooks to be followed by schools.

She also directed the concerned to ensure strict implementation of the order in letter and spirit and asked them to take appropriate action against schools violating the order.

The meeting was attended by Director School Education Kashmir Naseer Ahmad Wani, Joint Directors of School Education department (SED), Chief Education Officers (CEOs) of all districts of Kashmir division and other concerned officers of SED.

During the meeting, the minister held detailed assessment on key operational areas of school education sector including academic performance of schools, infrastructure development, teacher deployment, timely distribution of school textbooks and other materials.

Sakeena Itoo emphasized that all the schools across the region must receive textbooks and other learning materials on time.

“Timely availability of books and supplies is crucial to maintaining the academic calendar and ensuring that no student is left behind,” the minister said.

She directed officials to streamline the distribution process through improved coordination between the divisional and district education offices, adding that transparency and accountability must be maintained at every level.

The Minister also called for timely processing of GP funds and directed the CEOs to submitted detailed report outlining the number of cases submitted and pending with each CEO.

The education minister also directed the CEOs to conduct regular inspections of the coaching centres and ensure that they are following safety protocols.

She directed the officers to take action against unregistered coaching centres operating across Kashmir.

She highlighted the role of teachers in shaping the future of students and called for regular capacity-building and training programs to enhance teaching standards.

She also stressed the need to strengthen monitoring mechanisms to ensure punctuality, performance, and effective classroom engagement.

Sakina Itoo urged the department to ensure that all pending administrative and academic issues are resolved in a time-bound manner.

"The government is committed to improving the quality of education and creating an enabling environment for students and teachers alike," she said.

During the meeting, DSEK and CEOs briefed the education minister about the academic progress and infrastructural development besides other related issues.

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