Khan Feroz CNI
The meeting commenced with a warm welcome by Dr. Vikram Handa. During the session, the President Lal Chand Gandotra outlined the formal agenda which included crucial discussions on management committee approvals, simplification of NOC-related processes, and the need for equal representation in state-level educational bodies. The members unanimously agreed that meetings should be held in schools rather than external venues, to foster stronger grassroots participation.
Khan Feroz CNI
A major concern raised was the lack of a single-window mechanism for securing mandatory No Objection Certificates (NOCs) during affiliation, as well as the heavy fines imposed for delayed submission of fees under various administrative heads. Members stressed the urgency of having a Private School Association representative inducted into the Fee Fixation Committee, given the sector’s substantial contribution to Education delivery.
Further, the forum addressed problems related to CID verification, portal outages on the Directorate of School Education (DSEJ) site, and unequal certification periods—where Building Safety Certificates in Jammu are issued for one year versus five years in Kashmir. Such discrepancies were seen as systemic biases needing immediate redress.
Dr. Handa proposed several strategic measures, including the creation of district-level central offices for streamlined NOC follow-ups, annual rotational representation in the Fee Fixation Committee, and the appointment of a common legal counsel for schools under the Association’s umbrella. Additionally, it was resolved that minutes of each meeting be circulated among members before subsequent sessions to ensure continuity and transparency.
Calls for unity echoed throughout, with members like Deep Dayal and Ms. Bindiya advocating a collective front to amplify the Association’s voice. The need for a robust social media presence and inclusion of departmental officials in future meetings was also highlighted by Ms. Maitri Jain and Danish Kapahi.
Deepak Handa Sr Vice President Private Schools Association highlighted that meetings have been conducted many times with the various officers of different departments to highlight the problems being faced by the private schools. He apprised that the Executive Body is aware of the issues being faced by the schools, and that they have been taking up the issues with the departments from time to time. He said while the body is making efforts we still need to strengthen ourselves and work together and must encourage all school owners/principals in their surroundings to be a part of the Private Schools Association.
Sanjeev Luthra Treasurer JKPSA highlighted the work done by the PSA in Kashmir during their meetings with the Principal Secretary Hr Education Deptt.
The meeting concluded with a renewed spirit of solidarity, urging school heads to actively engage with the Association irrespective of personal grievances. The leadership reaffirmed its commitment to continuously liaise with government authorities to resolve ongoing concerns affecting private education in the region.
Other Notable members present Included, Sanjeev Gupta, Gaurav Sharma, Raj Kumar Sharma, Karuneshwar Gandotra, Ashok Sharma, Neeru Puri, Usha Jamwal, Santosh Sharma, Naresh Kumari, Raj Dulari, Paras Ram, Nure Mohd., Rajdev Singh, Vivek Chauhan, Anil Bhanotra, Ankur Gupta, Arjun Mahajan, Pramod Kapahi, Ram Sarup Bali, Shashi Sharma.