States » NorthPosted at: Sep 24 2026 3:01PM


Private member’s bill seeking mandatory government schooling for children of public figures rejected

Srinagar, Sep 24 (UNI)The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Thursday rejected a Private Members’ Bill seeking to make it mandatory for public representatives and public servants to educate their children in government educational institutions.
The bill, moved by MLA Sheikh Khursheed Ahmad, sought to make it obligatory for “public men and public servants” to enrol their children in government schools, with the stated objective of improving the quality of government education and addressing declining enrolment.
Moving the bill, Khursheed said the Assembly had been debating the education sector for the past two days and argued that improving infrastructure alone would not be sufficient to revive government schools.
He said that although around 77 per cent of schools in Jammu and Kashmir were government-run, enrolment in these institutions had been declining. Citing survey findings, he said nearly 3,000 government schools had fewer than 10 students enrolled.
Khursheed attributed the declining enrolment, among other factors, to policymakers, government employees, ministers, and legislators preferring private schools for their children.
“If we want to improve our government schools, infrastructure alone will not be sufficient,” he said, urging the government not to reject the bill outright.
He argued that if ministers, MLAs, and other public officials enrolled their children in government schools, it could boost public confidence in the government education system and benefit children from economically weaker sections.
Responding to the bill, Education Minister Sakina Itoo acknowledged the concerns raised by the member but said the proposed legislation could not be implemented as it would interfere with an individual's fundamental right to choose where their child studies.
Itoo said there had been “a lot of improvement” in government schools over the past two years, particularly in infrastructure, examination results, enrolment and the introduction of smart classrooms.
She, however, acknowledged that the improvements were not complete and said the government was continuing its efforts to strengthen the public education system.
The minister said the government was focusing on measures including the “School chalo” initiative and interactions involving parents and teachers to encourage more students to join government schools.
Itoo urged Khursheed to withdraw the bill, maintaining that making government schooling compulsory for children of public figures and servants was not legally feasible.
Khursheed, however, declined to withdraw the bill and pressed for a vote.
The bill was subsequently put to vote in the House, where it was rejected.
UNI MJR RSA
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