JKCSF Chairman and former Chairman of Teacher's Forum, Ab Qayoom Wani, has strongly condemned the arbitrary decision by the management of DPS Srinagar to withdraw bus services for students due to delayed fee payments.
In a statement, Wani called the move a blatant violation of the National Education Policy (NEP) and an assault on the fundamental right to education, which every child is entitled to under the Constitution.
Wani emphasized that while parents may sometimes face delays in fee payments due to unforeseen circumstances such as late salary disbursements or domestic challenges, this should not absolve schools of their responsibility to accommodate students. "It is unacceptable for DPS Srinagar to penalize young children, including those in kindergarten and primary school, simply because of delayed fee payments. These parents, despite their difficulties, have made efforts to clear all dues, including the half bus charge for winter months when the school was closed. Yet, the management has suspended bus services, causing severe disruption in students' ability to attend school. This is not just an inconvenience—it's an attack on their education and well-being," Wani said.
He also highlighted the severe psychological impact of such arbitrary actions on young minds. "Education is not just about learning; it's about nurturing the emotional, social, and psychological well-being of students. By withdrawing transport services, DPS Srinagar is causing undue stress, anxiety, and trauma, particularly among younger children, who are at a critical stage of their emotional development. This decision is nothing short of a crime against the mental health of our future generation."
Wani pointed out that the Jammu and Kashmir government can no longer ignore the growing exploitation by private educational institutions. "Many private schools, including DPS Srinagar, have been allotted land by the government at highly subsidized rates. This land is public property, and these institutions benefit from it at the expense of taxpayers. Yet, they seem to believe they are above the law, exploiting parents while ignoring their social responsibilities. It’s time for the government to take a firm stand against this exploitation," he said.
The JKCSF Chairman also raised concerns about the lack of transparency in private school operations, particularly regarding the reservation of seats for underprivileged students. "The issue of student reservations in these private institutions is shrouded in secrecy. Private schools must be held accountable for fulfilling their obligations to provide educational opportunities for economically disadvantaged children. The reservation quota for these students is rarely made public, which is a violation of policies that ensure equality in education. We demand that the government immediately publish a list of all students under the reservation quota and monitor compliance," he added.
In a hard-hitting response, Wani declared that the JKCSF would not remain silent. "We will launch a statewide agitation, holding public awareness campaigns and protests across every district of Jammu and Kashmir. The government must intervene immediately to ensure these schools adhere to established norms and regulations. It is a clear violation of social justice when children are denied their right to education due to the arbitrary and exploitative actions of private schools."
Wani further called on the government to hold these institutions accountable. "It is the government’s duty to ensure every private school, especially those benefiting from public land, operates transparently and within the legal framework. The government must set up monitoring squads in each district to track and regulate the functioning of private schools. These institutions must follow the same rules that govern public education. If they want to operate on public land, they must abide by public regulations."
He concluded with a strong warning: "The government cannot afford to remain passive while private institutions exploit parents, jeopardize students' futures, and disregard their social obligations. If this issue is not addressed immediately, we will escalate our efforts, and the government will be held responsible for allowing this injustice to continue."
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