The Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) operates without financial backing from the government, relying solely on examination fees from students and affiliation fees from schools to manage its affairs.
An official revealed that unlike universities, JKBOSE does not receive any government funding. Instead, the Board uses the money collected from students and schools to cover salaries, pensions for retired employees, and even rent for its offices.
“The primary revenue source for JKBOSE is the examination fees collected from students,” the official stated. It was noted that government support may have been provided decades ago, but for many years now, the Board has been entirely self-reliant.
The financial strain on JKBOSE has come under scrutiny as annual examinations for classes 10, 11, and 12 are set to begin in February 2025. Concerns have been raised about the high fees charged by the Board.
Currently, the examination fee for class 10 students is ₹1,180 for five subjects, while class 11 students pay ₹1,585, and class 12 students pay ₹1,830 for the same number of subjects.
This year, 132,992 students registered for class 10 exams, generating approximately ₹15.7 crore in revenue. Similarly, 120,673 students in class 11 and 102,298 students in class 12 contributed an estimated ₹19.12 crore and ₹18.72 crore, respectively, through examination fees and renewal charges.
According to the official, these funds are used for several purposes, including:
- Setting and printing question papers.
- Distribution of examination materials.
- Conducting exams and evaluating answer scripts.
- Paying staff involved in exam duties.
Additionally, the funds cover salaries for both regular employees and officials deputed to JKBOSE, such as Joint Secretaries, Secretaries, and Chairpersons.
Despite managing these expenses, concerns about the Board’s reliance on student fees and the affordability of these charges remain unaddressed. Minister for Education, Sakina Masood, was unavailable for comment on the issue.