SRINAGAR: Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir have launched a review of all books, dissertations, journals and other educational resources across schools, colleges, universities and public libraries in the Union Territory to ensure that they do not contain any objectionable content.
Education Ministry officials said that directives have been issued to ensure that any publication or academic material does not contain material that directly or indirectly encourages or justifies terrorism, violent extremism, separatism, extremism or any activity that is prejudicial to the sovereignty, unity, safety and security of the country.
The directives were issued after two textbooks were withdrawn and eight officials from the School Education Department were suspended early this month over allegations that two textbooks distributed in government school libraries “glorified” separatists. The police lodged an FIR under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in the case on July 4.
Following the incident, the Kashmir Education Department authorities ordered a review of all books in the libraries of all government and private schools in the valley to check whether there is any “content contrary to the law that would be detrimental to the national interest”.
The School Education Department and the Higher Education Department have issued comprehensive circulars, setting out a structured institutional framework for academic assessment, content verification and periodic review of books and other educational resources across schools, colleges, universities and public libraries in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.
“This initiative has been taken in view of recent concerns over books available in institutional libraries and procurement of educational materials by schools, colleges, public libraries and universities in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, and in implementation of the government’s directives,” a government spokesperson said in a statement.
The statement said that the circulars aim to strengthen the institutional mechanisms that govern the evaluation, recommendation, dissemination, retention and periodic review of educational materials to ensure that the academic resources available in educational institutions possess solid academic merit, factual originality, pedagogical importance and educational value. The subject shall be in compliance with the Constitution of India, applicable laws, National Education Policy, applicable regulatory framework and curriculum standards prescribed by the relevant authorities.
“The circulars also lay out clearly defined responsibilities of Vice Chancellors, College Directors, Chief Education Officers, District Education Officers, Heads of Institutions (Hols), Librarians, School Managements and other academic authorities charged with academic governance to ensure strict implementation of the prescribed framework within the stipulated timelines.”
So far, no university or college has officially responded to the circulars even as officials announced that the audit had begun.
