Facing a challenge head-on

The Jammu and Kashmir government’s decision to take over 58 more schools linked to the banned Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir and its associate Falah-e-Aam Trust brings into focus a delicate challenge—how to address security concerns without unsettling the education of thousands of students.
From the government’s standpoint, the move follows legal backing under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 and is based on security and intelligence inputs. In that sense, the administration is acting within its mandate. But beyond the legal framework lies a more human concern: the continuity of schooling for children who depend on these institutions every day.
For students and parents, schools are not political entities—they are places of learning, routine, and hope. Any sudden administrative change can create anxiety, especially when exams, admissions, and daily classes are involved. This makes the government’s assurance of uninterrupted academic activity not just important, but essential.
The earlier takeover of a large number of such schools showed that while control can be transferred quickly, maintaining stability on the ground takes effort. Teachers need clarity, students need reassurance, and parents need confidence that their children’s education will not suffer.
This is where communication becomes key. While security considerations may limit what can be shared publicly, a lack of clear information can lead to confusion and mistrust. Keeping communities informed—at least about how academic functioning will be protected—can go a long way in easing concerns.
The next step will be equally crucial. New management committees must not only meet official criteria but also be capable, credible, and responsive to local needs. Their role will determine whether these schools continue to function smoothly or struggle through the transition.
In the end, the real measure of this decision will be simple: do classrooms continue to run as usual, and do students remain unaffected? If the answer is yes, the transition will have served its purpose. Because whatever the larger considerations may be, education must remain steady, reliable, and above all, undisturbed.