JKBOSE Takes Center Stage: Standardized Textbooks Across All J&K Schools from Class 1 to 12
The implementation of common curriculum in government and private schools for all classes is set to become a reality as the Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (BOSE) has directed all the private schools to prescribe textbooks published by the Board, for all classes (1st primary to class 12th) from the upcoming 2024-25 academic session.
The Director Academics JKBOSE in a public notification has directed all the private schools not to force any parent or students to purchase books and material other than those published and prescribed by JKBOSE.
“Non-adherence to the orders and the directions of JKBOSE or Government of J&K issued from time to time on this score by any affiliated academic institution shall warrant a strict disciplinary action, imposition of a penalty or both,” the JK Board notification reads. The JK Board has also advised parents to immediately contact and inform the JKBOSE authorities in case any school forces them to purchase books other than those published by the JKBOSE.
The JK Board has referred to section (10) of the JKBOSE Act, 1975 (XXVIII of 1975) read with amendments under Reorganization Act, 2019 (34 of 2019) dated October 5 of 2020 for issuing the directions to the private schools.
“The Act deals with powers and functions of the Board which mentions that the Board shall have the powers and functions to prescribe the courses of instructions, prepare curricula and detailed syllabi and also prescribe text books for the Pre-primary, elementary, secondary school and Higher Secondary (School graduation) school examinations and Elementary Teachers Training Course,” the notification reads.
The JKBOSE while referring to SRO 123 dated March 18 of 2010 saying that Rule 11 (a) makes it mandatory for every school to follow the curriculum and the textbooks as may be prescribed for different classes by JKBOSE have a statutory force.
“Whereas the State Affiliation Committee/ Recognition Committee in its meetings held on August 7 of 2013 and May 18 of 2023 has resolved that any deviation or non-compliance of the instructions or orders of the JKBOSE or Government of Jammu and Kashmir issued from time to time and non-adoption of JKBOSE prescribed text books and curricula by any academic institution shall warrant a disciplinary action, imposition of a penalty up to Rs 50000 or both and that it shall be reinforced for strict implementation,” the JKBOSE notification reads.
As already reported by this newspaper, the JKBOSE directed all the private schools to prescribe textbooks published by the Board, for classes 6th to 8th from the 202-24 academic session. “A writ petition was filed before the High Court of J&K and Ladakh, by Private Schools United Front, challenging the directions regarding the implementation of textbooks published by JKBOSE by all the private schools for classes 6th to 8th in the first phase, however, the same was dismissed by the High Court,” the JKBOSE notification reads.
“The High Court in its order has observed that the JKBOSE is well within its rights to make it mandatory for all the Private Schools to prescribe textbooks published by JK Board,” it reads.
