By Maktoob
The Jammu and Kashmir government has directed all government and recognised private schools, as well as coaching centres across the Kashmir division, to review books on their premises for “inappropriate or objectionable content”, according to an official directive issued by the Directorate of School Education.
The order, issued on Monday, instructs heads of institutions to examine books kept in libraries, classrooms, staff rooms and offices, including both newly acquired and older publications, to ensure that none contains material deemed objectionable.
According to the directive, institutions must certify to their respective Chief Education Officers (CEOs) or Zonal Education Officers (ZEOs) that no books on campus contain “objectionable material”.
The order states that the exercise is intended to ensure that “no book contains inappropriate or objectionable content”, including material that “may violate religious sentiments of any section, be inappropriate for students, contain content against prevailing laws with the potential to harm national interest, affect educational values, and established norms.”
Heads of institutions have been instructed to prepare a detailed report if any such material is identified, including the book’s title, author, publisher, year of publication and the number of copies available. The reports are to be submitted to higher authorities within seven days.
The directive also asks Chief Education Officers to monitor compliance and submit consolidated reports to the Director of School Education by July 19.
The move comes days after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) protested against the procurement of certain books for government school libraries, accusing the National Conference-led government in the Union Territory of promoting “academic jihad”.
This story was originally published in maktoobmedia.com. Read the full story here.
