Change academic session must be based on merits not parochialism: GLR

JAMMU, October 24: Girdhari Lal Raina, Former Member of the Legislative council and spokesperson of BJP JK-UT has urged the Minister of Education Ms. Sakina Itoo not to take decision on change in academic session in hurry without going into details and merits of the issue.

Expressing fears about the Echo system reverberating in chorus after The Minister’s statement conveying the intention of the government to seek public feedback regarding the restoration of the November session in schools across the Kashmir Valley has a discernible pattern, says EX-MLC. Major thrust of the argument seems to condemn the changes undertaken in 2022 as a move to “ensure a uniform academic calendar, which in turn will be synchronised to the national academic calendar”, he added. Other arguments like “harsh winter” and reduced calendar seem to be just an inconsequential appendage, he added.

 Criticising this approach of the echo-system to underplay or projecting “synchronisation with the national academic calendar” as an adversity, GL Raina reminded how National Policy on education has been a guide for state governments since 1947 for the benefit of students and society at large. Even the Report of the Committee appointed by the State government to look into the Development of Education in Jammu Kashmir in 1973 was unequivocal in its statement  saying “ the educational system in the state is essentially the same as that in the country as a whole……. The reform of the educational system will therefore, have to be attempted on the same broad principles as are applicable to the country as a whole.”

Jammu Kashmir followed the recommendations accordingly be that transferring PUC ( one year secondary schooling) from colleges to the secondary schools or later synchronising secondary schooling with the education system followed across the country like 10 + 2 + (3, 4, or 5) pattern, he stressed.

GLR reminded the government of the report of 1973 that was firm in its recommendations saying, “Should any difficulties arise, it may be phased over a longer period”. This very principle must be adopted to reap the benefits of change instead of resorting to frequent hurried decisions that may adversely impact students, he added.

Harsh winter weather is practically no argument as even the closure time of Srinagar-Leh road has been reduced considerably, recording a new record every winter. Tourist season is now almost year-round with climate change and improved infrastructure, he emphasised.

He demanded that the government should not succumb to pressure from vested interests and political calculations and instead study how schools affiliated to CBSE in Kashmir are managing things. These schools are in high demand and continue to be the first preference of parents and students alike even in remote areas. Long term good of students must be the only consideration, Raina stressed.