The government of Jammu and Kashmir has ordered an in-depth inquiry to probe into the complaints received by the School Education Department from a number of parents regarding textbooks for classes 6th to 8th published by the private publishers.
With this regard, the Director of School Education Department, Dr. Tasaduq Hussain has instructed all the Chief Education Officers of all districts along with the Zonal Education Officers to conduct an in-depth inquiry about the matter and furnish an action report to the directorate within 3 days.
The order reads, “Pertinent to mention that the practice has been viewed seriously by the authorities. You are requested to conduct an in-depth enquiry into the matter along with your Zonal Education Officers (ZEOs) and furnish the action taken report to this Directorate within a period of three days positively.”
The directions were passed after the department received various complaints from the parents alleging that some private schools are asking the parents to purchase books of private publishers instead of or in addition to the books prescribed by the Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE).
Last year, JKBOSE directed all the private schools to prescribe textbooks published by the board, for classes 6th to 8th from the current academic session. Time and again, the SED has emphasized that the violators will be dealt with strictly.
An official in the School Education Department said, “The matter has been seriously taken by the department to curb the issue of over-pricing of textbooks. Another issue is that the private schools prescribe books published by private publishers in addition to the JKBOSE books. That will also be checked as it causes unnecessary pressure over students.”
