Srinagar, 24 August (H.S.): Apni Party chief Altaf Bukhari Sunday said the issue of Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) schools, taken over by the J&K government, should not be politicised for political gains or used as a means to settle political scores.

Bukhari’s remarks came a day after the Union Territory government took over the management of the 215 JeI-linked Falah-e-Aam Trust (FAT) schools across the Valley.

“The government (ruling party) must recognise that the issue of FAT schools is directly related to the future of thousands of students enrolled in them. Public sentiments are involved in this matter.

“Therefore, this issue cannot and should not be politicised for political gain or used as a means to settle political scores,” Bukhari said in a post on X.

Referring to the assurance by Education Minister Sakina Itoo that the schools would be handed over as soon as new management committees are formed, the Apni Party president expressed hope of the assurance being proven by action.

“One hopes that Education Minister Sakina Itoo’s assurance — that the government has taken over the management of FAT schools only as a temporary measure — will be proven by action, not merely by words,” he said.

The former minister said the government must ensure that even during this temporary period, the schools are overseen by qualified educationists and professionals rather than administrative authorities.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar