The district administration Anantnag has issued a strict warning to all school heads and management regarding the implementation of government orders related to the regulation of textbooks, school bag weight, homework, and purchasing of books from a specific vendor. The department has expressed concern over the flouting of government orders, especially by private schools.
According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the Additional District Magistrate has issued circular instructions to all schools to strictly follow the rules and regulations related to the recommended number of textbooks for each class, school bag weight, and homework.
“As per Rule 8A of J&K School Education Act-2002, books should be recommended strictly according to the government’s guidelines. No formal books are prescribed at pre-primary (Nursery, LKG, UKG) levels, and students of these classes may be provided with a maximum of two notebooks or workbooks to be kept in the teacher’s custody in the school itself,” the circular reads
It reads that the students of pre-primary level should not be asked to carry any bag except a light carrier for their lunch box.
The Additional District Magistrate in his circular has stated that the government has strictly prohibited schools from prescribing any other subjects except language and arithmetic for class 1st and 2nd, language, environmental science, and arithmetic for class 3rd to 5th, and language, social science, mathematics, and science for class 6th and 7th, or as prescribed by the affiliating authority.
“Students shall not be asked to bring additional books and extra material to school, and the weight of the school bag should not exceed the prescribed limit,” it reads.
The authorities have also directed schools to ensure that homework is not prescribed beyond the recommendations of School Bag Policy 2020.
“Teachers need to work together to plan and rationalize the amount of homework that they give,” it reads.
The circular reads that the government has strictly prohibited private schools from recommending the purchase of books and uniforms from a single vendor, and parents should not be forced to buy extra books.
“All private schools shall notify through their websites the list of subjects and the books prescribed besides other provisions, facilities available for the students,” it reads.
The circular reads that no admission or capitation fee should be charged for new admissions, and annual fees should not exceed the slab prescribed by J&K Committee for Fixation and Regulation of Fee of Private Schools.
“All schools, especially private schools should strictly adhere to these instructions. In case of any deviation, action under rules will be initiated against the said school to the extent of de-recognition or blacklisting,” it reads—(KNO)