Future of JKBOSE Under Question as Schools Move Towards CBSE
Srinagar, Jan 5: Concerns are mounting among education stakeholders and experts over the future and relevance of the Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) as an increasing number of schools prepare to shift their affiliation to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).
The apprehensions come at a time when CBSE has relaxed its affiliation norms for private schools, making it easier for them to move away from JKBOSE. This development has raised alarms among academicians who fear that continued migration could weaken JKBOSE as a state-level institution.
Education experts have pointed out that the issue has been further complicated by complaints against JKBOSE-affiliated private schools for prescribing textbooks from private publishers, despite government directions to adopt JKBOSE-prescribed textbooks for all classes. Stakeholders believe this has contributed to dissatisfaction and pushed some schools towards CBSE.
A former Chief Education Officer, who also served in JKBOSE in various capacities, said that proposals for shifting schools from JKBOSE to CBSE have surfaced earlier as well, but were resisted due to the wider implications such a move could have. He stressed that while the CBSE curriculum offers national-level exposure, sidelining JKBOSE could have serious academic and administrative consequences.
He added that weakening JKBOSE would affect not only governance of education but also thousands of budget private schools that may never qualify for CBSE affiliation. “The government must ensure that JKBOSE does not lose its relevance,” he said.
President of the Private Schools Association J&K (PSAJK), Nazrul Islam Baba, said that JKBOSE needs strong financial backing from the government. He highlighted that the Board incurs heavy losses due to free textbook distribution to government school students, which puts financial strain on its functioning.
He further said that around 30 to 40 percent of private schools lack the infrastructure and resources required for CBSE affiliation and depend entirely on JKBOSE. “JKBOSE caters not only to elite institutions but also to affordable schools. It is not just a printing body but an academic institution that needs reforms and financial support,” he said.
Baba added that supplying free textbooks to nearly 14 lakh students results in losses for the Board, which eventually leads to higher registration and examination fees for students. He suggested that while NCERT textbooks can be adopted, schools should be allowed flexibility with parental consent for supplementary books.
Over the past few years, several private schools across Kashmir have initiated the process of shifting their affiliation to CBSE. This trend gained momentum after the Ministry of Education, in June 2023, sought details from the J&K School Education Department regarding the timeline for affiliating BOSE-affiliated schools with CBSE.
Following this communication, the School Education Department directed officials in both Kashmir and Jammu divisions, along with JKBOSE authorities, to submit updated data on the affiliation status of government and private schools. Officials confirmed that the required information was submitted to the administrative department within the stipulated time.
Educationists have now urged the government to intervene decisively, strengthen JKBOSE financially and academically, and ensure that the Board continues to play a central role in the education system of Jammu and Kashmir.
