Onlykashmir.in News Desk
The Jammu and Kashmir Government has introduced a comprehensive framework for the evaluation and periodic review of books and academic material in schools, colleges and universities across the Union Territory.
The School Education Department and Higher Education Department issued separate circulars directing all government and recognised private educational institutions, as well as public libraries, to conduct a comprehensive Academic and Content Audit of books, journals, research publications, dissertations, theses, digital resources and other educational material, regardless of when they were acquired.
The new framework aims to ensure that educational resources meet standards of academic merit, factual accuracy, pedagogical relevance and educational value while remaining consistent with the Constitution of India, existing laws, the National Education Policy and prescribed curriculum standards.
According to the circulars, educational institutions will not be allowed to procure, prescribe, retain, circulate or make available any material containing factually inaccurate, misleading, inflammatory or unlawful content. The restrictions also extend to publications that directly or indirectly promote or justify terrorism, violent extremism, secessionism, radicalisation or activities considered prejudicial to the sovereignty, unity, integrity and security of the nation.
To oversee implementation, the government has established a multi-tier academic and content review mechanism involving committees at the institutional, district, directorate, university and administrative department levels. The framework provides for regular academic evaluation, content verification, quality assurance and periodic review while respecting the statutory and academic autonomy of universities in accordance with applicable laws and University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations.
The circulars assign specific responsibilities to Vice Chancellors, college principals, Chief Education Officers, Zonal Education Officers, Heads of Institutions, librarians, school managements and other academic authorities to ensure compliance within prescribed timelines. Institutional heads will be held accountable for implementing the framework, and any negligence or deviation from the prescribed procedures will be treated seriously.
The government said the initiative is intended to strengthen academic standards, improve institutional accountability, safeguard the integrity of the education system and establish a transparent and uniform process for reviewing educational resources across schools, colleges and universities in Jammu and Kashmir.
