Srinagar, July 9 (JKNS): In the wake of the recent controversy over alleged separatist and anti-national content found in certain books supplied under Samagra Shiksha Jammu and Kashmir, the Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) has ordered a comprehensive screening of books across all government schools, recognised private schools and coaching centres in Kashmir.
According to Circular No. 02-DSEK of 2026 dated July 6, a copy of which lies with news agency JKNS, all Heads of Institutions (HOIs) have been directed to conduct a thorough review of all books, including recently acquired and older publications, available in school libraries, classrooms, staff rooms and offices.
The circular directs institutions to ensure that no book contains objectionable or inappropriate content, including material that violates religious sentiments, contains age-inappropriate content, promotes ideas against prevailing laws, harms national interest or undermines educational values. It further states that all reading material must conform to the vision and objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
The move comes shortly after controversial content allegedly promoting separatist narratives and anti-national ideology was found in certain books available in libraries under Samagra Shiksha Jammu and Kashmir, prompting authorities to initiate a wider review of educational material.
DSEK has instructed HOIs to prepare detailed reports in cases where objectionable content is found, mentioning the book title, year of publication, author, publisher and the number of copies available.
The institutions have been directed to complete the screening exercise within seven days and submit a compliance certificate stating that all books have been reviewed and that no objectionable material exists in their premises to the best of their knowledge. The certificate must also confirm that library books conform to the guidelines of NEP-2020 and other applicable laws.
The circular further directs Zonal Education Officers (ZEOs) to consolidate reports from schools and coaching centres by July 15, while Chief Education Officers (CEOs) have been asked to submit district-wise compliance reports to the Directorate by July 17 after personally verifying and countersigning the certificates.
A committee comprising the Joint Directors (Central, North and South), Additional Secretary (Law) and Officer on Special Duty (Curriculum Evaluation Wing) has also been constituted to compile the final consolidated report for submission to the Director School Education Kashmir by July 19.
The Directorate has warned that any lapse in compliance with the directions will be viewed seriously and appropriate disciplinary action will be initiated against defaulting officers under the applicable rules.
The latest directive comes in the wake of the controversy over certain books supplied under the Samagra Shiksha programme after alleged separatist and anti-national content was reportedly found in books stocked in some government school libraries. Following the controversy, the books were immediately withdrawn from circulation, while the Lieutenant Governor’s administration ordered a high-level probe into the matter.
Taking serious note of the incident, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha chaired a high-level meeting and directed a comprehensive audit of educational institutions across Jammu and Kashmir. He also ordered the formulation of a Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) for procurement of books and academic material and warned that Heads of Institutions would be held personally accountable for the availability of any anti-national, separatist or objectionable literature in their institutions.
Earlier, Samagra Shiksha Jammu and Kashmir had ordered a comprehensive screening of books available in school libraries. Expanding the scope of the exercise, the Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) has now directed all government schools, recognised private schools and coaching centres across Kashmir to conduct a thorough review of all books in libraries, classrooms, offices and staff rooms to ensure that no objectionable material remains available. (JKNS)
