In any association, democracy must be respected and propagated.
Dr. Ashraf Zainabi
First things first: private schools, whether in Jammu & Kashmir or elsewhere in the world, operate primarily as for-profit institutions, not charitable entities. They follow business models, offering structured education in exchange for fees. At the same time, they create employment opportunities, especially in contexts where government jobs are limited and highly competitive.
However, one major gap these institutions face is the lack of coordination, a unified voice, and an effective grievance redressal platform. Complaints raised by parents against any school should be addressed by a representative association, strictly in accordance with established rules and laws. This process must remain impartial, transparent, and free from favoritism, while minimizing unnecessary government intervention that could undermine institutional credibility.
The recent changes inside the Private Schools Association of Jammu and Kashmir have opened an important debate. It is not only about one association. It is about how institutions in our society should work. It is also about whether democratic decisions should be respected after the voting is over.
The issue is simple.For many years, Mr. G. N. Var remained one of the most visible faces of private school leadership in Kashmir. Many school owners know his role in building the organisation. No one can deny that he remained part of the association for a long time and helped it grow.Later, he stepped down.
After that, Nazrul Islam Baba was chosen as interim president. An interim arrangement is usually temporary. It is meant to keep an institution running until proper elections can take place. That is exactly what happened. Elections were held. Members voted. The association selected its new leadership. Baba then received a proper mandate for three years.That should have settled the matter.
But instead of allowing the elected team to work independently, another development appeared. A new role was created for the former leadership. That role may be presented as honorary, but many people feel it can still influence the association without passing through an election.That is where concern begins.
In any democratic body, elections must mean something. If members choose a president, that president should be allowed to lead. If former leaders continue to hold authority from another seat, then the meaning of elections becomes weak.An institution cannot move forward if two centres of power exist at the same time.One person may hold the official position. Another may hold moral influence. When both operate together, confusion begins. Members start asking a simple question: who is actually in charge?That confusion can damage any organisation.
Private schools in Jammu and Kashmir already face enough problems. The newly elected body of the association has recently spoken about the need for reforms. It has asked the administration to address the problems faced by private schools. Those demands can only carry weight when the association itself looks stable.A divided house cannot speak with strength.This is why the present situation matters.It is not a personal attack on anyone. It is about principle.Former leaders deserve respect. They deserve recognition for their work. They deserve gratitude for their contribution. But respect and control are not the same thing.Sometimes the strongest act of leadership is stepping aside. That is difficult in many institutions. In our society, many people find it hard to leave positions.
“The Private Schools Association faces a vital choice: perpetuate outdated leadership patterns or pioneer a smooth, generational transition of power. To build a lasting democratic culture, the organization must balance respect for its founders with authority for its elected leaders, ultimately proving that institutional health depends on the grace of knowing when to step aside.”
Even after retirement, some still want to remain close to power. They may no longer hold the main office, but they still wish to shape decisions.That habit has harmed many organisations.Young leadership often struggles because old influence remains in the background. New office bearers carry the title, but not the freedom to lead. Decisions become slow. Internal trust becomes weak. Members become divided. This pattern is not healthy.
If the association truly believes in democracy, then the recent election should be respected fully. The newly elected body should be allowed to complete its term. It should be judged by its performance, not by shadow leadership around it.That is how institutions mature.No organisation becomes stronger by looking backward all the time. It becomes stronger when leadership changes peacefully and responsibly. It becomes stronger when people trust the process more than personalities.The private education sector needs exactly that kind of maturity.
Parents today expect schools to uphold laws. Some schools have raised monthly tuition fee, annual fee and bus fee without any mandatory approval. Government gets involved. They say they will take action, but in reality, no tangible action has been taken despite continuous cry from parents. Thus must change. The newly elected president must deal with this issue strongly to regain the faith and trust of parents. teach values. Teachers speak about fairness, responsibility and accountability.
When an association asks the government for fairness, it must first show fairness inside its own structure.When it asks for transparency, it must remain transparent in its own decisions.When it asks for trust, it must first trust its own elected members.That is why this moment is important.
Nazrul Islam Baba now carries a responsibility larger than a title. He has received a mandate. That mandate should not become symbolic. He must be given the space to lead. He must also show that he can lead with balance, patience and independence.At the same time, senior figures can still play a positive role. They can guide quietly. They can advise when asked. They can support the institution without controlling it.That difference matters.Advice strengthens democracy.Interference weakens it.
Many associations in Jammu and Kashmir suffer because internal democracy remains weak. Elections are sometimes held, but power does not truly change hands. The same influence continues under different names.People can see that. Members can feel that. And over time, institutions lose credibility.
The Private Schools Association now stands at a turning point. It can either follow the old pattern or set a better example. It can show that leadership in Kashmir can move from one generation to another without conflict. It can prove that democratic culture is possible even in organisations that have long depended on individuals.
The future of any institution depends on one simple rule.Those who build institutions deserve respect.Those who win elections deserve authority.And those who believe in democracy must know when to let go.
(The author is a teacher and a researcher based in Gowhar Pora Chadoora of Central Kashmir’s Budgam district. The views, opinions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the author and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”)
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