We welcome all child friendly policies of Government: Var
Srinagar: The renowned international educational experts who are on a visit to Kashmir today praised the private education sector in Kashmir and said that the sector has achieved a lot of progress in challenging circumstances, although much more needs to be done.
The experts expressed their views during an press conference with media here in Srinagar. The Press Conference was addressed by Kulbhushan Sharma President National Independent Schools Alliance (NISA)- the largest congregation of Budget Private Schools in India with more than 55000 members, Dr Amit Chandra, Policy Advisor Centre for Civil Society- an internationally reputed think tank on education, G N Var President Private Schools’ Association and M Y Wani General Secretary Joint Committee of Private Schools Association.
The experts said that they felt very good to be in Kashmir and it is very different than what they had heard. All of the experts praised the progressive approach of Kashmiris in education and termed it as a key factor for succeeding in the private educational sector.
The experts however said that there are many challenges ahead and government needs to revisit its policies and schools need to upgrade their teaching methods to move ahead. The experts said that nowhere in India Class 8 examination is held by a government body as it is a domain of private schools. They expressed their regret that the government had decided such a policy unilaterally and it needs to be discussed with all stakeholders for final decision. They urged the government to address this issue and treat Class 7-9 as foundation course for a child without any government interruption. It is this foundation that helps a child to be able to compete in national exams, they said.
Regarding Private Schools, the experts said that they are providing one of the best educational services in the state and government needs to recognise their contributions. They said that as per Supreme Court Guidelines a private school has a right to increase fee by 10 to 15 percent and beyond that it needs permission from fee committee.
Meanwhile chairman PSAK G N Var today welcomed various initiatives taken by the new Minister and Officers at the helm of affairs in education sector. He said that during the last two years the private schools had been under tremendous pressure and they had to suffer huge loss due to various orders taken by the then officials. “Now the situation has remarkably changed. The new team in education ministry has brought in various child friendly policies that we are happy to implement and work with,” said Var. “We welcome all such initiatives by the government that helps the education sector in general and students in particular.”
The chairman said that the revolutionary steps taken by the Hon’ble Minister and Secretary Education has brought sea change in the education sector and it will go along way in cementing a strong foundation.
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