PVPF 2024

The J&K School Board has Threatened to Take Action Against Schools that Deviate from Prescribed Textbooks

Controversial JKBOSE directive sparks opposition, impacting curriculum diversity and Kashmiri publishers. Urgent call for government intervention.
on Jan 03, 2024

It recommended parents to notify authorities if any school required them to acquire books other than those published by the Board.

The Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) has directed all schools in the Union Territory to use textbooks recommended by the Board. Political parties and publishers in the United Kingdom have criticised the order.

In its most recent directive, issued this month, the Board threatened schools with disciplinary action and a fine of up to $50,000, or both, if they recommended books other than those approved by the Board.

"No school shall force any parent or students to purchase books or material other than those published and prescribed by JKBOSE," the text of the directive read.
It recommended parents to notify authorities if any school required them to buy books other than those published by the Board.

The current order follows the J&K High Court's decision last year, which affirmed the Board's "statutory power to prescribe text books, which includes publication of these books."
"Neither the private schools nor other publishers have any right to compel the Board to prescribe text books published by these private publishers," the Supreme Court said.

The J&K Private Schools United Front, which had spoken out against the Board's decision, argued that the Board "cannot make it mandatory for the schools."

Several people have criticised the decision. Parents say that it will eliminate the inclusion of advanced works relating to the curriculum, as well as books on local faith and history.
According to Khursheed Jan of the Kashmir Booksellers and Stationers Association (KBSA), the move has resulted in losses for Kashmiri publishers. "The order should have been made public sooner so that stock printing could have been halted." We have taken out bank loans and will go bankrupt if the private schools do not include the books.

"The J&K government should investigate this matter and reconsider the directive," Mr. Jan said, requesting a three-year grace period.

PDP attacks right to free education

A representative for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) expressed worry over the Board's decision to require only board books in J&K schools, limiting access to materials from reputable publishers. "This move appears to control ideas by imposing a limited curriculum—a violation of the right to free education." "No such order applies throughout India," the official added.
Last year, the Lieutenant-Governor's office held consultations to create textbooks for J&K under the National Education Policy (NEP). Several scholars, including Jammu University's Professor Shyam Narayan Lal, Barkatullah University's Professor Ajay Kumar Ghosh, and Banaras Hindu University's Professor Keshav Mishra, have contributed to the textbooks' development.

Meanwhile, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti has questioned the government's decision to make Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University the institution in charge of processing the appointment of the Vice Chancellor for another independent university, Baba Gulam Shah Badshah University.

"As their V-C nomination papers are submitted to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, the appointment process of the vice chancellor for the Baba Gulam Shah Badshah University, established under a separate Act, raises questions." "This is a concerning instance of undermining the institution's autonomy," Ms. Mufti added.

J&K will have a Madrassa Board

Separately, the Director of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) has formed a four-member draft committee to establish Jammu and Kashmir's first madrassa board.

"Sanction is accorded to the establishment of Draft Committee comprising four officials who will prepare a comprehensive draft proposal regarding establishment of Madrassa Board in J&K," according to an official order.