Kulgam, Oct 8: A delegation of the (Regd.) Jammu & Kashmir Private Schools Association (J&K-PSA), led by Association Secretary and District President Shopian Hilal Ahmad Khan, met Health & Education Minister Sakeena Itoo on Thursday at her residence in DamhalHanjipora, Kulgam and conveyed the Association’s gratitude for the Government’s recent decision to simplify and rationalise several No Objection Certificate (NOC) and compliance requirements for private schools in J&K.
The delegation, as per a statement, thanked Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Education Minister Sakeena Itoo, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Cabinet Ministers and administration for addressing a long-pending demand of the private education sector. The Association also conveyed special thanks on behalf of veteran educationist & PSAJK Chief Patron Dr G N Var, President Bilal Ahmad Bhat and the entire State Executive body for the decision, which it described as an important step towards reducing unnecessary procedural burdens on educational institutions.
The J&K Government has recently amended the School Education Rules to ease several permission and certification requirements for private schools, including replacing certain documentary requirements with self-attested certificates, while retaining safeguards relating to areas such as student safety, structural safety, traffic safety and fire protection.
J&K-PSA Secretary Hilal Ahmad Khan said the Association viewed the reform as a significant development for the private education sector and appreciated the Government for responding to concerns that had been raised repeatedly through representations, meetings and policy discussions.
“On behalf of the entire Jammu & Kashmir Private Schools Association, I sincerely thank Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Education Minister Sakeena Itoo, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, our Chief Patron Dr G N Var, President Bilal Ahmad Bhat and the entire Government for addressing this long-pending issue.
Rationalising unnecessary NOCs and compliance requirements will reduce procedural difficulties and allow schools to devote greater time and resources to academics, student development, sports, skills and infrastructure. This is an important step towards Ease of Doing Business in the education sector,” Hilal Khan said.
The PSA delegation said the latest reform follows a series of education-sector decisions taken by the present Government, including the change in the academic session and the passage of the Jammu & Kashmir Private Universities Bill, 2026. The Assembly passed the Bill in April 2026 to provide a framework for establishing and regulating private universities in J&K.
The Association said these measures indicate a policy approach aimed at facilitating educational institutions while retaining necessary standards of academic quality, student safety and institutional accountability.
During the meeting, the delegation also raised several other issues concerning private schools. H.A Khan urged that Kalami Sheikh-ul-Alam (RA) should be incorporated into the school syllabus up to the middle-school level, emphasising the importance of acquainting students with Kashmir’s spiritual, literary and cultural heritage.
The delegation further discussed the State land and Khacharia land issue, seeking early resolution of the long-pending matter and reiterated the Association’s demand for a 10-year validity period for school registration certificates to reduce repetitive administrative procedures for recognised institutions.
The Education Minister, patiently heard the issues raised by the Private Schools Association and assured the members that the Government would examine the remaining pending matters and continue working for the welfare of students and the education sector in Jammu & Kashmir.
The PSA delegation expressed hope that the J&K Government’s continued engagement with the private-school fraternity would help resolve outstanding regulatory and infrastructure-related issues and further strengthen cooperation between the Government and private educational institutions.
Meanwhile, J&K Private Schools Association (PSA) as per a separate statement called for greater collaboration between J&K Waqf Board educational institutions, private schools, government schools and cultural organisations to promote quality education while strengthening students’ connection with Jammu & Kashmir’s rich literary, spiritual and cultural heritage.
During a meeting with Dr Darakhshan Andrabi, Chairperson, J&K Waqf Board and Dr Owais Mattoo, Director Media & Communications, J&K-PSA and District President Budgam, discussed several important issues concerning the education sector, institutional collaboration and the preservation of Kashmir’s rich literary and cultural heritage. He emphasised the need for stronger collaboration between J&K Waqf Board schools, private educational institutions and government schools to promote quality and value-based education while ensuring that students remain connected with the region’s language, literature, cultural traditions and moral values.
Dr Mattoo appreciated the work being carried out under the leadership of Dr Darakhshan Andrabi and acknowledged the visible efforts towards strengthening and developing J&K Waqf Board and their educational infrastructure. He said that the transformation being witnessed in the Waqf system reflects sustained efforts and leadership over the past several years.
While congratulating J&K Waqf Board Chairperson, Dr Owais Mattoo referred to the importance of leadership qualities such as courage, vision and a strong commitment to public service. Quoting Allama Iqbal’s well-known verse, “Nigahbulandsuḳhandil-navāzjaañpur-soz; yahīhairaḳht-e-safarmīr-e-kārvāñ ke liye”, he underlined the importance of vision, compassion and dedication in leadership.
Speaking from his perspective as an educationist and representative of the private-school sector, Dr Mattoo said that education cannot remain confined to textbooks and academic achievement alone. He stressed the need to connect students with language, literature, cultural heritage, moral values and the intellectual traditions of Kashmir.
He said that his institution and Jammu & Kashmir Private Schools Association (J&K-PSA) member schools had already undertaken several initiatives aimed at connecting students with literature and cultural traditions and that such programmes had produced positive changes in students’ behaviour and overall outlook.
Dr. Mattoo thanked Dr. Darakhshan Andrabi and the J&K Waqf Board managing body for the opportunity to discuss these issues and reiterated the willingness of J&K-Private Schools Association to contribute to collaborative educational and cultural initiatives.
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