The Jammu Kashmir administration passed an order for the cessation of educational activities in the schools run by Falah e Aam trust (FAT) of Jamaat e Islami, creating uncertainty among thousands of students.
“Whereas, approximately 11000 students were reportedly studying in these schools run by the FAT. Consequent to the ban, the students were allowed to take admissions in nearby Government schools,” the Government order stated.
“Whereas,” the order read adding, “in spite of the ban on Falah-l-Aam Trust Association / Organization, the said Association/Organization is running these institutions illegally in the pretext of order of the Hon’ble High Court.”
Whereas, the above said wnt petition OWP No. 598/1989 was disposed of by the Hon’ble High Court on 16.04.2005 with the following order:-
“…After arguing for a while, Mr. Oureshi, learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that in view of the subsequent development traceable to the amendment of the status regulating the functions of the schools besides policies and guidelines circulated by the Government from time to time the petitioners would like to approach the competent authority for redressal of their grievances provided liberty is granted to them to approach the court afresh in view of the stance aforementioned, the writ petition is disposed of with liberty to the petitioners to approach the authorities concerned should the decision of the Government violate any of their rights, they shall be free to invoked appropriately.”
The order issued by the Jammu Kashmir school education department has directed the district education officers and the administration to seal FAT institutions within 15 days. The order also bars schools to take in new admissions.
Responding to the orders of ceasing educational activities in the schools, the Trust said that it runs only seven schools in the valley.
Sources, quoted by News 18, said some officials are of the opinion that more time should be given to institutions to clear their name and prove their disassociation with the FAT keeping in view the future of thousands of students and that too in the middle of an academic session and after a two year of closure due pandemic.
The ban on FAT schools comes after the newly formed investigating agency – State Investigation Agency (SIA) of Jammu Kashmir Police allegedly found frauds, large-scale government land grabbing, and raising of funds through schools, seminaries, and charities to stoke separatist protests.
Showkat Ahmad Var, president of the Trust, told News 18, that the Trust runs only seven schools, two of which are of secondary level.
“700 students study in these institutes. Almost all of the schools previously running under FAT have snapped links with the Trust, applied afresh, and appointed new faculties. In the majority of cases, local communities have taken over the schools, picked new management and stuck to the curriculum of the Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education,” he said.
As per Showkat, most of the schools delinked themselves from FAT decades ago.
The schools employ dozens of teachers whose futures also looks bleak now. Saleem Siddiqi, a teacher told that the school follows the Cambridge curriculum till primary class and onwards the Jammu Kashmir approved board syllabi.
“We strictly abide by the instructions of the board. There is no deviation whatsoever,” he was quoted as having said.
He added the school provides free education to students from disadvantaged sections of society.