Srinagar, Mar 14: The J&K Board of School Education (BOSE) has tightened its noose against the private schools over poor implementation of the orders for adopting the BOSE-published textbooks for all classes from the 2024-25 academic session.
In the latest development, Deputy Secretary BOSE issued circular instructions to all the officers at sub-offices to conduct inspections of the private schools and ascertain the reports about the implementation status of BOSE-prescribed textbooks by private schools for the academic session 2024-25.
The BOSE said that non-compliance by any school may lead to penal action against such defaulting institutions.
The BOSE has made it mandatory for all private schools to adopt the BOSE-prescribed textbooks for all classes from primary to class 12th.
The orders have been issued by the BOSE using its powers vested under the Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education Act, 1975.
“Under the act, BOSE holds the authority to prescribe courses of instruction, curricula, syllabi, and textbooks for various academic levels including pre-primary, elementary, secondary, and higher secondary school examinations,” the circular reads.
However, the Deputy Secretary BOSE said that despite these regulations, some private academic institutions have been observed deviating from the prescribed materials, opting instead for self-devised curricula and unauthorised textbooks from private publishers.
“This violation not only creates inconvenience for students and parents who struggle to access the required learning material but also undermines the meticulous efforts invested by the BOSE in designing curriculum and textbooks to meet educational standards,” the circular instruction reads.
The BOSE said that such practices not only disrupt the educational ecosystem but also result in financial losses for JKBOSE, as substantial resources are expended in developing educational content.
“The unchecked defiance exhibited by certain private schools not only compromises the quality of education but also sets a detrimental precedent, potentially fostering a culture of non-compliance among other stakeholders,” it reads.
In wake of this, the BOSE has instructed all the district and tehsil-level officials to rigorously monitor and ensure the implementation of JKBOSE-prescribed textbooks in private academic institutions within their jurisdictions for the academic session 2024-25.
Also, the officials have been instructed to ensure strict adherence to all directives issued in this regard.
“Any instances of non-compliance are to be promptly reported, and a list of defaulting institutions is to be furnished for further necessary action,” it reads.