Private Schools Provide Free Education To Underprivileged Students
22/04/2026
Srinagar, April 22 (KIP)-The Private Schools’ Association (PSA) convened an Executive Council meeting attended by members from all districts, where a wide range of academic, administrative and policy-related issues concerning private schools were discussed at length.
The meeting was presided over by Founding President and Patron of PSA, Dr. G. N. Var, along with President Bilal Ahmad Bhat, General Secretary M. Syed Wani and other senior office bearers.
Among those present were Women’s Wing President Tabasum Feroz, Director Media & Communications Dr. Owais Mattoo, Treasurer Hilal Ahmad Khan, Joint Secretary Dr. Yasir Ramzan, District President Kupwara Tanveer Ahmad Lone, District President Ganderbal Javid Ali Sheikh, Zameer Ahmad Lone, Dr. Abdul Qayoom, Rifat Ara, Altaf Ahmad Shah, Manzoor Ahmad Kumar, Mushtaq Ahmad Bhat, Bilal Rizwan, Parvaiz Ahmad Lone, Mohammad Shafi, Javaid Ahmad Dar, Altaf Ahmad Wani, Javaid Ahmad, Aijaz Ahmad Wani, Peer Kifayatullah, Ghulam Nabi Ahangar, Riyaz Ahmad Mir, Sajad Ahmad Khan, Irfan Mohi-ud-din, Gulzar Ahmad, Sheikh Abid Hussain, Mohammad Ashraf Rather, Arshad Hussain Bhat, Reyaz Ahmad Thoker (Kulgam), Firdous Ahmad Sheikh, Fayaz Ahmad Kumar, Mohammad Amin and PRO B.A. Shah.
During the deliberations, members raised several pressing concerns affecting the smooth functioning of private schools, including regulatory challenges, the burden of unnecessary NOCs and the need for greater policy clarity. The Executive Council unanimously resolved to organize a large-scale School Conference in the coming days to consolidate these issues and present them before the concerned authorities.
A key decision of the meeting was to initiate structured teacher training programmes at the grassroots level across districts to strengthen academic quality, promote modern teaching methodologies and improve institutional outcomes.
Addressing the gathering, PSA Founding President and Patron Dr. G. N. Var reaffirmed the Association’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding the genuine concerns of the private education sector, stating that all pressing issues will be vigorously taken up with the highest levels of the government for timely resolution.
He emphasized that the private education sector in Jammu & Kashmir has played a sustained role in expanding access to affordable and quality education, especially for students from economically weaker sections (EWS), many of whom benefit from free or subsidized education.
Dr. Var further underscored that private educational institutions have emerged as a vital pillar of the region’s socio-economic framework, generating employment opportunities for thousands of educated youth in both teaching and non-teaching roles. He noted that, in the absence of sufficient government absorption capacity, the private sector has played a decisive role in addressing unemployment among qualified youths.
Highlighting the broader contribution of the sector, he said that private schools are not only institutions but also centers of character-building, innovation and community engagement. He called for a balanced and supportive policy environment that recognizes the constructive role of private schools and ensures their sustainable growth.
Dr. Var also emphasized the need for continuous dialogue between stakeholders, urging authorities to adopt a consultative approach while framing policies affecting the education sector. He appealed for greater institutional support, transparency, and mutual trust to further strengthen the education ecosystem in the region.
PSA President Bilal Ahmad Bhat assured members that addressing the pressing issues of the private education sector remains the top priority of the Association. He reaffirmed his commitment to safeguarding the interests of all affiliated schools and ensuring that their genuine concerns are taken up with the concerned authorities in a sustained and effective manner.
He further stated that the Association has, on multiple occasions, submitted detailed representations to the government, particularly highlighting the need to extend school registration validity to at least ten years. While assurances have been given from time to time, he emphasized that concrete action is still awaited.
Bhat expressed concern over the excessive procedural burden on schools, stating that valuable time and resources are being lost in obtaining numerous unnecessary No Objection Certificates (NOCs), except for a few essential requirements such as fire safety compliance.
He also urged the authorities to rationalize municipal taxation, stressing that fees imposed by municipalities should be aligned with the fee structure and standard of schools. He pointed out that a uniform tax system places an unfair burden on smaller institutions and called for a differentiated approach based on the scale and capacity of schools.
General Secretary M. Syed Wani said “The private education sector in Jammu and Kashmir continues to play a vital role in expanding access to quality education and supporting employment across the region. At the same time, institutions are facing challenges, including rising operational costs and the need for greater procedural clarity. These matters can be effectively addressed through constructive dialogue and a streamlined, time-bound grievance redressal mechanism. We respectfully urge the government to extend necessary support so that schools can function smoothly and continue contributing positively to the education ecosystem.”
Treasurer Hilal Ahmad Khan stated “There is a strong need to maintain discipline while ensuring that quality education remains accessible and affordable for all sections of society. A balanced approach between institutional sustainability and affordability for parents is key to long-term progress.”
Director Media & Communications Dr. Owais Mattoo, in his detailed address, emphasized that effective communication and coordinated outreach are the backbone of a strong and responsive education system. He highlighted the urgent need to build a well-structured communication network among school heads, teachers and students to ensure transparency, quick resolution of issues and better policy implementation.
He stressed the importance of leveraging digital platforms for timely updates, awareness campaigns and sharing best practices across institutions. He added that proactive engagement and clear messaging would strengthen trust among stakeholders and significantly improve the quality of education while keeping it accessible and affordable.
Women’s Wing President Tabasum Feroz stated that the Association will place special emphasis on strengthening the role of women in the private education sector. She said that empowering female educators, enhancing their professional capacity through training and ensuring their active participation in decision-making will remain a priority.
Joint Secretary Dr. Yasir Ramzan said “Improving coordination among schools and adopting modern, student-centric teaching practices will significantly enhance educational outcomes. Continuous professional development is essential to meet evolving academic challenges.”
District and Zonal Presidents shared ground-level concerns and highlighted challenges faced by schools in their respective areas. They called for practical solutions and stronger coordination with stakeholders to ensure that genuine issues are addressed on priority.
The meeting concluded with a formal vote of thanks by PRO B.A. Shah, who acknowledged the participation and valuable contributions of all members.