Srinagar, Aug 08 (KNO): The government Saturday said it will cancel the recognition of such unaided private schools that were withholding the salaries or were mulling terminate its staff members during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The officials at School Education Department also warned the management of private schools of strict action in terms of relevant provisions of law in case of any violation found
According to the circular issued by the School Education Department, a copy of which lies with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), “The Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) has received complaints from the staff of recognized unaided private schools regarding either termination of services or non-payment of salaries.”
Director of School Education Kashmir, Mohammed Younis Malik said, “There are clear cut orders from the Govt that the tuition fee only be charged from the student’s during the lockdown period in lieu of COVID-I9 pandemic facilitating the private schools to meet the expenditure of the salaries of the staff there.”
Malik said that few schools were called to attend DSEK office to redress the grievances of staff in lieu of non-payment of salaries or termination thereof during lock down period and they agreed to continue with their services and subsequent drawl of salaries.
The school education department impressed upon all the unaided recognized private schools of Kashmir division to adhere with the instructions of providing uninterrupted salaries to the staff in the school during lock down period in lieu of COVID-I9 pandemic in letter and spirit.
“In case any violation or non-seriousness is found, strict action shall be initiated against the particular school in terms of relevant provisions of Law which includes de-recognition thereof without further intimation,” reads the circular.
Earlier on June-16, DSEK issued circular— instructing all recognized Private Schools to charge only tuition fee from students on a monthly basis instead of quarterly basis for the lockdown period.
“No fee hike shall be made during the academic session 2020-21 and the annual fee, if any, can be charged monthly on a pro-rata basis, after schools reopen,” reads the circular.
The previous circular further states that no school shall deny access to online education, material or classes for the continuous assessment to poor and deserving students who are unable to pay school fees due to the prevailing situation—(KNO)