JKBOSE administrative lapses put future of 22 Students at risk 

The recent controversy surrounding the 22 students from Islamic Global School in Jammu and Kashmir brings to light serious administrative inefficiencies within the Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE). Despite clear directives from the Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) and a favorable ruling from the judiciary, these students were subjected to undue stress and uncertainty regarding their ability to sit for their Class 10 board examinations. Such a lapse in administrative efficiency raises important questions about the accountability of educational authorities and the commitment to students’ welfare.

This situation began in December 2024 when the Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) directed that students of Classes 9 and 10 from Islamic Global School be affiliated with the nearby Boys Higher Secondary School Natipora to ensure continuity in their education. The Chief Education Officer (CEO) Srinagar also communicated with JKBOSE to ensure that these students were properly registered and allowed to appear for their board exams. However, despite these clear instructions, JKBOSE continued to delay the registration process, citing procedural requirements, including the need for explicit approval from the board’s chairman.

Even after the matter was escalated to the judiciary, which ruled in favor of the students, JKBOSE still failed to issue their roll number slips in a timely manner. This not only defied legal directives but also put the students and their families through extreme mental distress. The exams, scheduled to begin on February 17, meant that students lost valuable preparation time due to the uncertainty surrounding their ability to appear for the exams. Parents, teachers, and members of the Private Schools Association of Jammu and Kashmir (PSAJK) spent countless hours outside the JKBOSE office in Bemina, hoping for a resolution. However, bureaucratic delays persisted, with officials citing the need for direct instructions from the chairman, who remained unavailable. Calls to his office went unanswered, leaving the students’ future in limbo until the last moment.

This incident reflects poorly on the functioning of JKBOSE and calls for immediate reforms to prevent similar situations in the future. The education board’s primary duty is to facilitate a smooth academic experience for students, not create unnecessary obstacles. The mental well-being of students is just as important as their academic performance, and such bureaucratic inefficiencies can have long-term consequences on their morale and confidence.

To prevent such issues from recurring, JKBOSE must streamline its administrative processes and ensure that directives from higher authorities and the judiciary are implemented without unnecessary delays. There must be greater accountability within the board to ensure that officials do not arbitrarily delay critical procedures. Additionally, clear communication channels must be established so that parents and students do not have to resort to protests and legal battles simply to secure their right to education.

Strict action should also be taken against any schools or officials who play with the future of students by creating unnecessary hurdles in their academic journey. The role of educational institutions and governing bodies is to nurture and support students, not put their futures at risk due to bureaucratic inefficiencies.

The Prime Minister has repeatedly emphasized that the youth are the backbone of the nation. If students are forced to fight for their basic right to education, it not only affects their future but also the overall progress of the country. The education system in Jammu and Kashmir must ensure that such incidents do not happen again by enforcing strict accountability measures, improving administrative efficiency, and prioritizing students’ welfare above all else.