Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, May 23: Private schools today sought a time-bound resolution of long-pending land, affiliation and renewal issues, warning that administrative delays were affecting academic planning and smooth functioning of institutions across the Union Territory.
The demand was raised during a meeting between a high-level delegation of the Private Schools Association (PSA) and Director School Education Kashmir (DSEK) Naseer Ahmad Wani here.
Led by PSA Senior Vice President Manzoor Ahmad Rather, the delegation submitted a charter of demands to the DSEK, seeking clear guidelines on state land issues, speedy disposal of pending files and simplification of procedures related to lease deeds, registrations and affiliations.
The association said uncertainty over land documentation and delays in approvals were creating operational difficulties for private schools.
It also highlighted problems faced by institutions where landowners were unwilling to renew long-term lease agreements, leading to legal and administrative complications.
The delegation urged the education department to adopt a transparent and efficient mechanism for renewals and No Objection Certificates (NOCs), including extending validity periods up to 10 years.
It also sought the establishment of a dedicated help desk for private schools to address official matters in a streamlined manner.
Issues related to delays in picnic permissions and procedural hurdles in organising co-curricular activities also came up during the meeting.
The association stressed the need to encourage sports, debates, arts and cultural activities as part of holistic student development.
The DSEK assured the delegation that all genuine issues would be examined strictly in accordance with established rules and procedures.
He said there was no unnecessary pendency in registration renewal cases within the department and that files were being processed promptly.
Wani further informed the delegation that land-related cases concerning middle schools and above had already been taken up by the J&K Board of School Education (JKBOSE) in line with existing Government guidelines.
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