Shameema Firdous says there is no shortage of free textbooks, acknowledges some private-school book sets cost Rs 6,000 to Rs 10,000 and plans a meeting with the Director of School Education.
BuzzBytes
SRINAGAR, NOVEMBER 9: Amid growing complaints of financial exploitation by private institutions, Jammu and Kashmir Education Minister Shameema Firdous on Monday said that private schools cannot burden parents with unnecessary charges and the government will ensure audit and proper accountability against those violating fee and other norms.
Speaking to reporters here in Srinagar, the Minister said, “We started supplying textbooks to the educational zones of Srinagar district today and the concerned officials in those zones will ensure distribution of free textbooks at the earliest.”
“There is no shortage of textbooks; in fact, we have started distributing the free textbooks at the very appropriate time in comparison to the previous years,” she said.
About the miscellaneous charges levied by some private schools, the Minister said, “There will be a proper audit and accountability will be enforced against those violating the government norms. We won’t allow any private school to impose an unnecessary burden on parents.”
Firdous also said the government would examine the issue of high-priced textbooks in private schools, acknowledging that some book sets cost parents between Rs 6,000 and Rs 10,000. She said she would convene a meeting with the Director of School Education and other concerned officials to examine the matter and explore possible measures.
“We are getting very expensive books. It is true that these books are very expensive. Some sets cost Rs 6,000 to Rs 7,000, while others cost Rs 10,000. I will call a meeting to see what needs to be done,” she said.
On the demand for raising the upper age limit for open merit candidates in Jammu and Kashmir Bank recruitment, Firdous favoured increasing it to 40 years, citing the absence of recruitment opportunities over the past decade. “Thirty years is not enough. They should keep it up to 40 years because there has been no appointment here for the last 10 years. They should keep that in mind and think about it,” she said.
Pertinently, educational institutions across the Kashmir Valley began the academic session 2026–27 on November 2 for students of KG to Class 10.
An official had informed that the new academic session commenced after the schools completed annual assessments and declared results in line with the academic calendar.
The schools were expected to begin regular classes, issue textbooks and prepare a new curriculum in the first week of November.
Earlier, the Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education had said that the free textbooks would be distributed among students through various educational zones in the first week of November.
Former Education Minister Sakeena Itoo had directed the officials to ensure timely completion of the preparation of textbooks, syllabus and other needs.
Moreover, a stakeholders’ meeting was held to ensure clarity on fee, availability of textbooks in schools and coordination between the government and private educational institutions in Kashmir.
