Srinagar, July 9 (IANS) While the University of Kashmir has already started a review of books and research material that might contain objectionable content, the Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) on Thursday ordered a comprehensive review of all books in government and recognised private schools and coaching centres.

University of Kashmir has already begun a review of books, magazines, journals, research material and other articles at the central library and in all departmental libraries to ensure that no objectionable content is present in them.

Meanwhile, the Directorate of School Education Kashmir has ordered a comprehensive review of all books in government and recognised private schools, besides coaching centres, to ensure that no material containing objectionable content is available on the premises.

As per the order, all heads of Institutions have been directed to screen books available in offices, classrooms, staff rooms and school libraries, including recently acquired and older publications.

The purpose, the circular states, is to ensure that no book contains content that may violate religious sentiments, carry inappropriate material for students, go against prevailing laws, harm national interest, or impact educational values and established norms.

All material must also align with the age-appropriate guidelines of the National Education Policy 2020. If any objectionable content is found, the head of the institution shall prepare a detailed report mentioning the title of the book, year of publication, name of author and publisher, and number of books. Institutions have been asked to complete the exercise with due diligence and submit a compliance report/certificate to the concerned CEO/ZEO by July 13.

The certificate must state that all books have been thoroughly reviewed, no objectionable material is present to the best of the knowledge, and library books conform to NEP-2020 guidelines and relevant laws. Where objectionable content is identified, an abstract and report must also be submitted to the CEO/ZEO within the same deadline.

Zonal Education Officers will scrutinise and consolidate reports from schools and coaching centres under their jurisdiction and submit a consolidated report to the concerned CEO by July 15. Chief Education Officers of the Kashmir Division have been instructed to submit the certificates and reports to the Directorate by July 17.

The CEOs have also been asked to personally monitor the process and countersign the certificates before submission.

A committee comprising the Joint Director (Central/North/South), DSEK, Additional Secretary (Law), DSEK and OSD (CEW), DSEK will collect certification reports from districts and submit a consolidated report to the Directorate by July 19.

The Directorate warned that any lapse in compliance will be viewed seriously and may invite disciplinary action against defaulting officers under applicable rules.

–IANS

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