The Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) and State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) stand at the core of the Union Territory’s academic infrastructure, playing a critical role in curriculum development, examination reforms, evaluation frameworks, and the shaping of the educational journeys of lakhs of students. Yet, it is deeply alarming that these vital institutions have been functioning without a regular Chairperson and Director respectively for months, undermining both their efficiency and credibility. The appointment process, initiated over six months ago, has inexplicably stalled despite the Search Committee having completed all formalities, including interactions with shortlisted candidates as early as April 2025. Nobody knows what is causing the delay, and the silence from the administration only fuels speculation and frustration within the education community. The JKBOSE and SCERT are not peripheral bodies-they are the backbone of the school education system in J&K. Without a regular Chairperson and Director, the ability to plan, implement, and respond to the evolving academic needs of students is severely handicapped.
A full-time Chairperson or a Director is not a ceremonial role nor a luxury-it is a foundational necessity. The individuals are responsible not just for steering internal operations, but for ensuring alignment with national academic frameworks, managing reforms under NEP-2020, and most importantly, ensuring that students across the UT receive timely and quality academic support. It is deeply unfortunate that while the names of eligible candidates have already been submitted to the competent authority, the final announcement is still pending without any justified reason. The Government must recognise the urgency of the matter. Leadership voids at these institutions create systemic inertia, and the ultimate price is paid by students whose futures are shaped by the decisions-or indecisions-of today. It is time for the administration to act decisively. The appointment of a full-time Chairperson and Director must be prioritised and expedited without further delay.
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