Srinagar, Apr 24: In a significant development, Nazrul Islam Baba was on Friday unanimously elected as State President of Private Schools Association Jammu & Kashmir (PSAJK).
The decision in this regard was taken in the executive council meeting of the PSAJK convened at Green Valley Educational Institute (GVEI), ElahiBagh, Srinagar. During the meeting, it was unanimously decided that Nazrul Islam Baba will be the state President of PSAJK for a tenure of three years. “The decision symbolizes unity of purpose and a forward-looking resolve to collectively navigate the evolving educational landscape in Jammu and Kashmir,” Nazrul Islam Baba told Greater Kashmir.
Following the meeting, the oath ceremony was held at the Ahmad Auditorium of GVEI wherein the State President PSAJK and all the district presidents of the association were given oath by the renowned advocate Nadeem Qadri, who is also the legal advisor of the association. The oath taking ceremony was attended by National President of National Independent Schools Alliance (NISA) Dr. Kulbhushan Sharma and National President of Private Schools Children Welfare Association (PSCWA) Dr. Syed Shamael Ahmad.
Also, the school leaders of other private schools across J&K were also present at the occasion. Chairman, Delhi Public School (DPS) Srinagar Vijay Dhar, chairman International DPS ShowkatChoudhary renowned educationist C L Vishan was also present at the occasion. Earlier during the executive council meeting, stress was laid on a structured roadmap for the future besides institutional strengthening, policy advocacy, regulatory balance, academic excellence, and the integration of innovation and technology within the schooling ecosystem. Speaking at the occasion, the newly sworn-in state president (PSAJK), Nazrul Islam Baba called for a transparent and streamlined education system saying that private institutions have long acted as “knowledge partners” in bridging gaps in quality education across the Valley.
Baba said the association was strengthening its roadmap with a focus on quality education, collaborative learning, and capacity building of stakeholders, including teachers, school leaders, and administrative staff. “We cannot dream of quality education in isolation. This is the era of collaborative learning,” he said. He also announced a series of upcoming seminars and outreach programmes aimed at upskilling educators and addressing institutional challenges. Baba said PSAJK leadership would be traveling across Kashmir frequently in the coming days to roll out initiatives designed to support students and school administrations. “Meaningful progress in the education sector would require active government backing and community participation,” he said.
He said that the private sector was not in competition with the government but doing its part as knowledge partners. “This ecosystem cannot function without mutual support,” he said. He further urged the authorities to acknowledge the role of private institutions in strengthening the education framework.
Briefing about the historical context, Baba said private schools filled a critical vacuum in quality education during periods of turmoil in Kashmir. He however cautioned against policy approaches that could undermine investor confidence or destabilise institutions.
Referring to the closure of private medical colleges in the past, he warned against a similar fate for school education institutions. “It took decades to rebuild confidence for investment in medical education. Such setbacks should not be repeated in the school sector,” he said. Nazrul Islam Baba urged stakeholders to highlight the contributions of private institutions at the grassroots level and push collectively for equitable treatment, opportunities, and recognition. “Let us stand united and raise genuine issues with one voice before the government,” he added.
