Srinagar, Nov 9 (KNS): Education Minister Shameema Firdous on Monday said the government would examine the issue of high-priced textbooks in private schools, acknowledging that some book sets cost parents between Rs 6,000 and Rs 10,000.
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‎Speaking to reporters, Firdous said she would convene a meeting with the Director of School Education and other concerned officials to examine the matter and explore possible measures.
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‎"We are getting very expensive books. It is true that these books are very expensive. Some sets cost Rs 6,000 to Rs 7,000, while others cost Rs 10,000. I will call a meeting to see what needs to be done," she said.
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‎The minister's remarks came in response to a question about the financial burden on parents purchasing textbooks from private schools.
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‎On the provision of free textbooks and uniforms in government schools, Firdous said the initiative was intended to ease the financial burden on parents and encourage enrolment in government institutions.
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‎"Some children cannot afford books and other things.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelThat is why we have provided these books, so that their parents do not face difficulties and children can study without financial constraints," she said.
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‎She said government school teachers were working hard but stressed the need to improve the standard of education to bring government institutions at par with private schools.
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‎"Why do we give more importance to private schools? Our teachers are working hard. They have to be at the same level as private schools so that children and their parents do not face difficulties," she said.
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‎On the demand for raising the upper age limit for open merit candidates in Jammu and Kashmir Bank recruitment, Firdous favoured increasing it to 40 years, citing the absence of recruitment opportunities over the past decade.
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‎"Thirty years is not enough. They should keep it up to 40 years because there has been no appointment here for the last 10 years. They should keep that in mind and think about it," she said.(KNS)