J&K Govt takes over management of 215 ‘Jammat-affiliated’ schools

The Jammu and Kashmir government on Friday ordered the takeover of the managing committees of 215 schools, which were found to be directly or indirectly affiliated with banned Jamaat-e-Islami (Jel) and Falah-e-Aam Trust (FAT) in the Valley.

According to an order issued by the J&K School Education Department, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs has declared Jamaat-e-Islami, Jammu and Kashmir, an unlawful association and intelligence agencies have identified a number of schools as being “directly or indirectly affiliated with the proscribed organisations JeI and FAT”.

The order stated that the validity of the managing committee of 215 such schools has expired and have been reported adversely upon by the intelligence agencies. “The managing committee of these 215 schools shall be taken over by the District Magistrate/ Deputy Commissioner concerned who shall propose a fresh managing committee in due course for the concerned schools after getting these duly verified," the order said.

The government has directed the concerned authorities to ensure that the academic future of students enrolled in these institutions is not affected in any manner. District Magistrates, in consultation with the School Education Department, have been asked to implement necessary measures to maintain quality education in line with National Education Policy (NEP) norms.

Officials said that these schools which are located across Kashmir are currently managed at local village level. They are registered with the school education department, but totally managed by private individuals.

In 2022, the administration under the Lieutenant Governor had already ordered the cessation of academic activities in FAT-affiliated schools. The Falah-e-Aam Trust, established in 1972, was set up by the Jamaat-e-Islami as a charitable educational initiative.

Meanwhile, J&K Education Minister Sakina Itoo said that the order was “wrongly worded. ” "I had stated that the nearest principal in the area will look into these schools, until the verification of the management committee by the CID is done. But in today's order , it has been stated that DCs will take over.