Sakeena Itoo Directs Strict Action Against Arbitrary Fee Hikes, Orders Transparent Online Mechanism for Private Schools in J&K

Srinagar: Minister for Education, Social Welfare, Health and Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo, on Wednesday chaired a high-level meeting at the Civil Secretariat, Srinagar, to review and assess issues related to fee fixation, regulation, and transparency in private educational institutions across Jammu and Kashmir.

The meeting was attended by Secretary School Education Department, Ram Niwas Sharma; Director School Education Kashmir, Naseer Ahmad Wani; Director School Education Jammu, Dr. Naseem Javaid; Secretary JKBOSE, Ghulam Hassan Sheikh; Director Finance, School Education Department; Administrative Officer, Fee Fixation and Regulation Committee (FFRC), besides other senior officers—both in person and through video conferencing.

Taking strong note of complaints regarding unjustified and arbitrary fee hikes by some private schools, the Minister directed the department to enforce existing guidelines in letter and spirit. She called for strict monitoring and timely corrective measures to ensure that educational institutions operate within approved fee structures and adhere to established norms.

Sakeena Itoo said that education is a social responsibility, emphasizing the government’s commitment to ensuring equitable access to quality education without imposing financial burden on parents. She stressed the need for transparency in fee disclosure, fair regulatory practices, and effective grievance redressal mechanisms to address complaints from parents and students.

Highlighting reports of unregulated textbook sales at exorbitant prices, the Minister instructed all Chief Education Officers (CEOs) to conduct regular inspections of schools and bookshops. She directed them to initiate strict action against any institution or agency found indulging in profiteering or violating prescribed norms.

To enhance transparency and accountability, the Minister directed the School Education Department to develop a fully dynamic, government-hosted online platform for submission of fee-related data, applications, and public access to approved fee structures. The move, she said, would promote openness and prevent exploitation by ensuring all relevant information is easily accessible to stakeholders.

She further asked the department to issue a comprehensive order specifying approved curricula and textbooks, making it binding on all schools to comply. CEOs have been tasked with ensuring strict implementation and taking disciplinary action against violators.

Sakeena Itoo also called for data-driven policy formulation to guide periodic fee revisions that balance affordability with institutional sustainability, reiterating the government’s unwavering commitment to accessible, transparent, and quality education across Jammu and Kashmir.