Academic Session Will Begin As Soon As Exams End: Director
By Majid Nabi
Srinagar- The Director of School Education department Kashmir, Dr Tassaduq Hussain Thursday cautioned private schools of legal action, in case admission fee or donation is charged from the parents of the students.
“We will definitely act tough against those who are charging annual fees from students provided we receive written complaints in this regard. Complaints can be registered at ZEO, CEO or Directorate offices. Those charging annual fees will invite legal action,” Hussain said.
He made these remarks while talking to reporters on the sidelines of a meeting to discuss implementation of COTPA Act around educational institutions.
The Director’s order comes days after media reports claimed that some private schools were charging capitation fees from parents in north Kashmir.
Regarding implementation of Right to Education (RTE) Act in J&K that mandates 25 percent reservation in admissions for poor students, Hussain said as per the details available with the department, schools are adhering to the Act.
“As per the details we had sought, schools have been adhering to the Act. I recently enquired from a private school whether they reserve admission for the poor students under RTE act, they said yes. Any leniency in this direction will be taken seriously,” he said.
Replying to a question whether private schools can charge fees for January, February and March months, the Director Education said while schools are not permitted to charge students for use of the library or computers, they must pay tuition fees in order to cover staff salaries.
“Look private schools earlier were not charging. Now, the system stands changed and schools were closed during these months. They can seek tuition fees to cover the salary for their staff,” he added.
Director Education also said the department has not granted registration to any coaching center in Srinagar neither any fee has been fixed for them.
He said the higher education department has issued a circular in this direction which has disseminated in all official groups.
Hussain also said that the academic session in schools will begin as soon as the examinations are over.
“Academic session will begin as soon as exams end. We are prepared and we have set timelines as well,” he added.
Pertinently, last year, the government implemented a uniform academic calendar in all schools across the Union Territory, including the conduct of annual examinations in the March-April session for up to class nine.
The administration in August last year shifted the academic session for the students of class 10th and 12th in Kashmir to March Session, in accordance with the National Education Policy (NEP).
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