Srinagar, Oct 14: The Jammu and Kashmir government will investigate complaints against private schools allegedly compelling parents to purchase textbooks from designated booksellers, with Education Minister Sakina Itoo clarifying that parents are free to buy books from any seller of their choice.
The minister said the government would constitute a committee to examine allegations of forced book purchases, unnecessary supplementary textbooks and the additional financial burden being imposed on families.
“Parents must have the freedom to choose where they want to purchase books. No private school should force them to buy textbooks from a particular bookseller,” Itoo told reporters after a meeting with private school representatives, parent associations, NGOs and education department officials.
She said appropriate action would be taken if an inquiry established that schools had violated prescribed norms or imposed unnecessary expenses on students.
The issue of supplementary textbooks also came under discussion, with the minister stressing that educational requirements, rather than commercial interests, must determine what students are asked to study.
Acknowledging that additional books could broaden students’ knowledge, Itoo said such material should not be imposed on every student without assessing its educational value.
“Books should be introduced to improve learning, not to make money. If a child does not need an additional book, there should be no pressure on the parents to purchase it,” she said.
The minister observed that a substantial portion of the syllabus was similar across textbooks. She maintained that supplementary reading material could benefit students interested in exploring subjects beyond their prescribed curriculum.
However, she stressed that prescribing additional books without a clear academic purpose would be examined as part of the proposed inquiry.
According to Itoo, the proposed committee will include representatives of parent associations, private school bodies, NGOs, intellectuals and government officials.
The panel will examine complaints concerning prescribed textbooks, alleged compulsion to purchase books from selected vendors and the financial pressure faced by parents.
“Every complaint will be examined, and wherever allegations are found to be substantiated, appropriate action will follow,” the minister said.
The move is expected to bring renewed scrutiny to textbook-related practices in private schools, particularly concerns over whether parents have a genuine choice when purchasing educational material.
Itoo said the government remained committed to addressing parental grievances while ensuring quality education without avoidable financial burdens on students’ families.
The meeting also reviewed broader educational concerns, including teaching quality, the prescribed curriculum and preparations for examinations scheduled for November.
Itoo said the department was working to improve educational standards across Jammu and Kashmir and address issues raised by stakeholders.
“Our common objective is to ensure that the children of Jammu and Kashmir progress and achieve excellence at the highest level,” she said.
She added that schools had been connected through virtual platforms to improve coordination and facilitate the resolution of difficulties faced by educational institutions.
On school timings, the minister said the government had issued an order revising the schedule.
Under the revised arrangement, schools in municipal areas will commence classes at 10 am, while schools in rural areas will begin at 10:30 am.
Itoo also responded to a question concerning the death of a woman in Sheikhpora, reportedly amid allegations that medical staff were absent.
She said the government examined complaints of medical negligence and had taken action against doctors in cases where allegations were established.
“Whenever an inquiry establishes that negligence has resulted in a loss of life, action will be taken in accordance with the findings,” she said. The minister reiterated that complaints would be examined and appropriate action taken wherever responsibility was established, reaffirming the government’s commitment to accountability and addressing public grievances.
