Children studying in government schools across Jammu and Kashmir will soon get free books and free uniforms, Education Minister Shameema Firdous said on Monday, in a move aimed at bringing government schools on par with private ones. The announcement came as the new academic session for Classes KG to 10 began in the Kashmir Valley on November 2, and textbook distribution under the government’s Books Day initiative has already started in Srinagar district.
Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, Firdous said the government wants children in its schools to stand at the same level as children in private schools. “Why do we give more to private schools? Our children have to work hard, they have to be brought to the same level as private school children,” she said.
Free books and uniforms on the way
The minister said it is a good thing that children in government schools are getting free books and uniforms, and that the step will draw more families towards government schools. Many parents struggle to afford books, she said, and the Books Day initiative has been started so that children and their parents do not face difficulty in getting textbooks.
Officials in Srinagar have begun supplying free textbooks to the educational zones of the district, and the concerned officers have been asked to ensure the books reach students at the earliest. The distribution drive is under way as the new session settles in.
The new academic session for KG to Class 10 students in the Kashmir Valley began on November 2. Schools were expected to start regular classes, issue textbooks and prepare for the new curriculum in the first week of November, and the free textbook rollout is part of that schedule.
Private school book sets under the scanner
Firdous also turned her attention to private schools, where she said book sets are being sold at very high prices. “The book sets they have kept for Rs 10,000, Rs 6,000, Rs 7,000, we are going to pass an order very soon on that,” she said, adding that private institutions should reconsider what they charge parents.
The minister said she will call a meeting with the Director of Education and other officials on the issue. “Everything should happen under discipline, and it will happen,” she added.
Amid growing complaints of financial exploitation by private institutions, the government will also audit private schools that violate fee and other norms. Firdous said private schools cannot burden parents with unnecessary charges and that proper audit and accountability will be enforced against institutions found violating government norms.
Why this matters for parents
For many families in Jammu and Kashmir, the cost of schooling goes far beyond tuition fees. Book sets, uniforms, stationery and transport add up quickly, and for parents with two or three children in school, the yearly bill can run into tens of thousands of rupees.
- Free textbooks: Government school students will not have to buy books, easing the biggest recurring cost for low-income families.
- Free uniforms: Uniforms will also be provided free, removing another expense that often keeps children out of school.
- Check on private schools: The promised order on costly book sets and the audit of fee violations could bring relief to parents in private schools too.
- Books Day drive: Textbooks are being distributed zone by zone in Srinagar, with officials told to complete the rollout quickly.
The minister’s remarks also touched on a separate concern raised by job aspirants. Asked about the Jammu and Kashmir Bank recruitment age limit, Firdous said it is a matter of regret that the limit has been kept at 30 years. “They should keep it up to 40 years, because here no appointment has taken place for the last 10 years. Keeping that in view, they should reconsider this,” she said.
What happens next
Parents will be watching for two things in the coming days. First, the order on private school book prices that the minister said is coming very soon. Second, the meeting with the Education Director, which should set the timeline for the free uniform rollout and the audit of private schools.
For now, the message from the education department is clear: government school children should not have to pay for books and uniforms, and private schools will face scrutiny if they keep charging parents unreasonable amounts.
FAQs
Who will get free books and uniforms in Jammu and Kashmir?
Children studying in government schools across the Union Territory will get free books and free uniforms, Education Minister Shameema Firdous announced on Monday.
When did the free textbook distribution start?
Textbook supply to educational zones in Srinagar district has begun under the Books Day initiative, with officials asked to ensure early distribution.
What did the minister say about private school book prices?
She said private schools are selling book sets for Rs 6,000 to Rs 10,000 and that the government will pass an order on this very soon.
Will private schools be audited?
Yes. The minister said the government will audit private schools that violate fee and other norms, and enforce accountability against them.
When did the new academic session begin in Kashmir?
The academic session 2026-27 for KG to Class 10 students in the Kashmir Valley began on November 2, 2026.
For parents in Jammu and Kashmir, the next few weeks will show whether the promise of free books and uniforms reaches every classroom, and whether the crackdown on costly book sets brings real relief.
