Jammu and Kashmir’s Fee Fixation and Regulation Committee (FFRC), has directed all private schools in the union Territory to mandatorily constitute Parents’ Associations in a time-bound manner.
In a circular issued on Friday, the committee said the move aims to ensure transparency and accountability in school functioning, particularly in matters related to fee regulation and grievance redressal.
The move , FFRC said, is in compliance with provisions of the J&K School Education Rules, 2010, which mandate the formation of such bodies.
The decision to constitute Parents’ Associations was taken after the authorities observed that many institutions had yet to establish these associations despite legal requirements.
The circular stated that every private school must form a Parents’ Association consisting of elected representatives of parents or guardians of students currently enrolled in the institution.
“Every private school in Jammu & Kashmir shall mandatorily constitute a Parents Association strictly in accordance with the provisions of Rule-7. The composition, election/selection process, tenure, and functioning shall be as prescribed under the said rules,” the circular issued by Chairperson, FFRC, J&K, Justice Sunil Hali.
Parents, in turn, have been advised to associate only with duly constituted associations and refrain from engaging with unrecognized groups.
The circular warned that any school failing to comply with the directive could face action under relevant provisions of the law. It also cautioned against individuals or groups falsely claiming to represent parents without proper authorization, stating that such actions would invite legal consequences.
Authorities have asked all institutions to complete the process of forming Parents’ Associations within a stipulated timeframe and report compliance to the concerned offices for verification.
