J&K Govt takes over management of 215 schools linked to banned JeI amid tight security

The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Saturday took over the management of 215 schools across 10 districts of the Kashmir Valley, which were found to be directly or indirectly affiliated with banned Jamaat-e-Islami (Jel) and Falah-e-Aam Trust (FAT).

The exercise came a day after the Omar Abdullah government ordered takeover of these schools, even though the J&K Education Minister Sakina Itoo said the order was wrongly worded and was modified without her knowledge.

On Saturday morning, officials of district administrations, principals of the respective nearest high and higher secondary schools, accompanied by police teams, reached these schools. The administrative teams took charge of the schools, checked their documents and the infrastructure, as well as interacted with the staff, the officials said.

According to a senior official, the entire process was conducted peacefully. “Everything went smoothly and there was no impact on the classwork or any activity,” he said.

The School Education Department had on Friday ordered the takeover of 215 schools affiliated with JeI and its Falah-e-Aam Trust, where over 51,000 students are enrolled, in order to “safeguard their academic future”.

According to officials, these schools which are located across Kashmir, were currently managed at the local village level. They were registered with the school education department but 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.

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs, on February 28, 2019, and again on February 27, 2024, declared the Jel as an unlawful association under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. “The intelligence agencies have identified a number of schools which were found to be directly or indirectly affiliated with proscribed organisation Jamat-e-Islami (Jel)/Falah-e-Aam Trust (FAT),” the Friday order stated.

It said the validity of the managing committees of these schools has expired, and also these panels have been “reported adversely” by the intelligence agencies.

The order said the decision to take over the managing committees of such schools has been taken in order to safeguard the academic future of the students enrolled in these schools.

Education Minister Sakina Itoo later clarified that the original draft order approved by her mentioned that the cluster principals would look after these schools, contrary to the order issued by the School Education Department Secretary, an IAS officer who reports to the L-G.

Itoo: Not to be taken over permanently

Srinagar: Facing flak from opposition parties over the takeover of the 215 schools affiliated with the banned Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI), J&K Education Minister Sakina Itoo on Saturday asserted that these schools will only be looked after by the government till the new management committees are formed.

Asking parties not to politicise the issue, the minister said the rules were clear that when the tenure of managing committees of these schools expires, the government can look after the school till the new management committee is formed.

Itoo said if the management committee of any school is formed tomorrow, and its CID verification is received, then the school will be handed over immediately.

“Students, teachers and structures would remain as such, only nearest principals will look after them till new management committees were formed,” the minister added. She said the decision was taken to safeguard the future of the students in these schools. — OC