Srinagar, July 10: In a significant move to strengthen academic standards and institutional accountability, the Jammu and Kashmir Government has ordered a comprehensive audit of books, journals, research publications and other academic material across all government and recognised private schools, colleges, universities and public libraries in the Union Territory.
According to official circulars, the government has notified a detailed framework for the evaluation, verification and periodic review of educational resources, directing institutions to examine all academic material irrespective of the year of its procurement, adoption or inclusion, reports KNC.
The newly introduced framework aims to ensure that educational material used in institutions possesses academic merit, factual accuracy, pedagogical relevance and educational value while remaining fully consistent with the Constitution of India, prevailing laws, the National Education Policy (NEP), regulatory guidelines and prescribed curricular standards.
As per the government directions, institutions have been instructed to conduct a comprehensive Academic and Content Audit covering books, reference material, journals, dissertations, theses, research publications, digital repositories and other learning resources available in libraries and academic departments.
The circular categorically states that no educational material containing factually incorrect, misleading, distorted, inflammatory or unlawful content shall be procured, prescribed, recommended, retained, circulated or made available in any educational institution.
It further prohibits any publication that directly or indirectly promotes, glorifies, legitimises or justifies terrorism, violent extremism, radicalisation, secessionism or activities considered prejudicial to the sovereignty, unity, integrity and security of the nation.
To ensure strict implementation, the government has established a multi-tier academic and content scrutiny mechanism across both school and higher education sectors. The system provides for institutional, district, directorate, university and departmental-level committees to oversee academic evaluation, content verification, quality assurance and periodic review while respecting the statutory autonomy of universities under applicable laws and University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations.
The circulars assign specific responsibilities to Vice Chancellors, Principals of Colleges, Chief Education Officers (CEOs), Zonal Education Officers (ZEOs), Heads of Institutions (HoIs), librarians, school managements and other academic authorities for implementing the prescribed framework within stipulated timelines.
The government has made it clear that institutional heads will be personally responsible for ensuring compliance in their respective jurisdictions and warned that any omission, negligence or deviation from the notified procedures will be viewed seriously.
The initiative is aimed at strengthening academic governance, improving transparency in the selection and review of educational material, safeguarding the integrity of the education system and establishing a uniform mechanism for the periodic evaluation of academic resources across Jammu and Kashmir’s educational institutions. (KNC)
