The Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (BOSE) has intensified its measures against private schools due to their inadequate adherence to the directives regarding the adoption of BOSE-published textbooks for all classes starting from the 2024-25 academic session. In the most recent development, the Deputy Secretary of BOSE issued circular instructions to all sub-office officers to conduct inspections of private schools and assess the implementation status of BOSE-prescribed textbooks for the academic session 2024-25.
BOSE stated that failure to comply with these regulations by any school could result in penal action against such non-compliant institutions. It has mandated all private schools to adhere to BOSE-prescribed textbooks for all classes, ranging from primary to class 12th.
Orders have been issued by BOSE, utilizing its authority granted under the Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education Act, 1975. According to the act, BOSE has the power to define courses of instruction, curricula, syllabi, and textbooks for different academic levels, encompassing pre-primary, elementary, secondary, and higher secondary school examinations,” the circular states. However, despite these regulations, the Deputy Secretary of BOSE noted that some private educational institutions have been observed to diverge from the prescribed materials, opting instead for self-designed curricula and unauthorized textbooks from private publishers.
“This violation not only poses challenges for students and parents in accessing the required learning materials but also undermines the meticulous efforts made by BOSE in developing curricula and textbooks to meet educational standards,” the circular states. BOSE emphasized that such practices not only disrupt the educational environment but also lead to financial losses for JKBOSE, given the significant resources invested in developing educational content.
“The unchecked defiance displayed by certain private schools not only compromises the quality of education but also establishes a negative precedent, potentially encouraging non-compliance among other stakeholders,” the circular adds. Consequently, BOSE has instructed all district and tehsil-level officials to closely monitor and ensure the adoption of JKBOSE-prescribed textbooks in private educational institutions within their jurisdictions for the academic session 2024-25. Furthermore, officials have been directed to enforce strict adherence to all related directives.
“Instances of non-compliance should be promptly reported, and a list of non-compliant institutions is to be provided for further necessary action,” the circular concludes.
