Students take class in passenger shed in Kulgam Govt school

Edu dept says they are working to find a solution

Umaisar Gull Ganie

Kulgam, Sep 09 (KNO): The Government Middle School in Hallan, a remote village in Damhal Hanjipora in Kulgam district is housing students in a passenger shed due to a severe shortage of space.

The school, which has only three classrooms, is struggling to accommodate its 170 students, most of whom belong to tribal communities. As a result, one class is being conducted in a passenger shed which is also used by villagers as a waiting area for transport.

Talking to news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the students who are studying in the passenger shed expressed their concern that they are at a disadvantage.

They said that they are exposed to the elements and have to contend with the noise and heat, which is making it difficult for them to concentrate on their studies.

“We find it increasingly challenging to focus on our studies amidst the relentless heat and deafening noise,” said Insha Jan, a student. “It seems almost impossible to cultivate a conducive learning environment within the confines of a passenger shed.”

The parents of the students are also concerned about the situation.

They have urged the authorities to prioritize the issue and ensure that the students are provided with adequate and suitable learning spaces without further delay.

“The cramped space hampers the ability of our children to concentrate and engage effectively in their studies,” said Ghulam Ali Khatana, a parent. “Additionally, the passenger shed offers minimal protection against inclement weather conditions, leaving the students vulnerable during extreme temperatures and rainfall.”

Atta Mohammad Khan, Zonal Education Officer (ZEO) Damhal Hanjipora said the government is actively working towards finding a suitable solution.

“A new building is currently under construction to replace the temporary arrangement. Hopefully, the school building will be completed by the end of this year,” he added—(KNO)

Private schools to prescribe BOSE textbooks: High Court

Srinagar, Sept 8: High Court has upheld the decision of the J&K Board of School Education (BOSE) directing all the private schools to prescribe the textbooks published by the Board for the students of class 6th to 8th standard.

The petitioner-J&K Private Schools United Front claiming to be a Trust and working for the welfare of private educational schools and institutes had challenged the notification dated 26.08.2022 issued by respondent-Joint Secretary, Publication and Procurement BOSE, whereby all the private schools have been asked to ensure that in the first phase, the text books published by the J&K BOSE are implemented and prescribed by all the private schools across UT of J&K for classes 6thto 8thfrom the ensuing academic session.

Justice Sanjay Dhar held the plea of the petitioner-Trust as without merit and dismissed it accordingly. The court while applying Rule 11 of School Education Rules of 2010 said it is incumbent upon every school to follow curriculum and textbooks prescribed by the Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education.

“By virtue of the resolution adopted by the Affiliation Committee of the Board, adherence to the Rule has been made compulsory by the Board. It is pursuant to this Statutory Rule that respondent Joint Secretary, Publication and Procurement BOSE has issued the impugned notification making it obligatory upon all the schools affiliated to the Board to use the textbooks prescribed and published by the Board”, read the judgment.

JKBOSE 10th Revaluation Result 2023 Declared Download PDF @jkbose.nic.in

Court recorded that it cannot be stated that the impugned notification has been issued without the approval of the competent authority. “…non-compliance of the instructions or orders of the J&K BOSE or Government of Jammu and Kashmir issued from time to time/non-adoption of JKBOSE prescribed text books and curricula by any academic institution shall warrant a disciplinary action, imposition of a penalty upto Rs.50,000 or both and that it shall be reinforced for strict implementation”, Justice Dhar added.

He further recorded that once it is found that the Board of School Education is vested with statutory power to prescribe text books which include publication of these books, it would be well within its power to make it mandatory for the affiliated schools to use only those books that have been prescribed and published by the Board.

“Neither the private schools nor other publishers have any right to compel the Board to prescribe text books published by these private publishers. The prescription of text books published by the Board would not infringe the right of any publisher or owner of a private school as long as the respondent Board has the power to do so”, Court clarified.

The policy decisions and guidelines, court said, issued by the Board with regard to the matters relating to curriculum, syllabus and prescription of text books for the schools affiliated to the Board cannot be interfered with by the courts otherwise the whole exercise made by various stakeholders including educationists etc. would become futile.

“If the schools are at liberty to choose books, it would not only create chaos and confusion but there would not be uniformity in the education system throughout the Union Territory. The respondent Board while issuing the impugned notification is right in observing that the practice of prescribing textbooks from different private publishers by different private schools results in non-uniformity in curriculum being taught and even instances of controversial content finding way in some cannot be ruled out. Therefore, the decision of the Board in prescribing the textbooks published by it for use by the schools and students cannot be interfered with by this Court,” the HC said.

KU, 3rd Sem B.Sc nursing students protest in Srinagar, demand postponement of exams due to shortened semester duration

Meer Shabnum

Srinagar, Sep 09 (KB): The students of 3rd Semester B.Sc nursing, on Saturday held a protest on Srinagar, demand postponement of exams

The protesting student, while speaking to the Kashmir Bulletin–(KB), said they have been given a very short time period to study for the exams, and that their syllabus is incomplete till date. They urged the officials at Kashmir University to intervene in the matter and take steps to ensure that their demands are met.

In this regards, a statement issued by the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association, a copy of which lies with KB reads, that our concerns are regarding the recently released date sheet dated 05 September 2023 for the B.Se Nursing 3rd semester examinations, and we believe that there are several compelling reasons to consider the postponement of these examinations.

“The timeline between the conclusion of 2nd semester examinations, which ended in late or may, and the commencement of new coursework in June 2023 has been exceptionally short, and this limited timeframe, amounting to just three months, is inadequate to cover a six-month curriculum comprehensively.”

It further reads that, “according to the guidelines set by the Indian Nursing Council (INC), the minimum duration for one semester should not be less than six months. This duration is crucial as both theoretical knowledge and clinical practice are of equal significance in our program. For the 3rd semester, clinical posting alone necessitates 420 hours, equivalent to nearly three months, highlighting the need for a more accommodating timeframe.”

“Several affiliated colleges have prioritized clinical practice, resulting in a significant shortfall in completing the theoretical components of the curriculum. As a result, students are grappling with a lack of exposure to essential theoretical knowledge required for the upcoming examinations,” reads the statement.

Additionally, “if the University intends to compensate for previous academic disruptions, it would have been greatly appreciated if this had been communicated to students prior to the commencement of the semester. In light of these circumstances, we kindly request your esteemed office to consider postponing our upcoming examinations by at least one month. This additional time would enable students to adequately prepare and aim for satisfactory academic performance,” it further reads. (Kashmir Bulletin–KB)