After 7 Months, Schools Re-open In Kashmir Valley

SRINAGAR: Donning uniforms after nearly seven months, thousands of students on Monday turned up at their schools that re-opened across the Kashmir Valley after remaining shut since August last due to the situation following the abrogation of Article 370 and winter vacation.

All security arrangements were put in place for the students to attend schools, officials said.

The students were happy to be back at the schools after remaining home all these months.

“It is a good feeling to be back at the school, to attend my class, in fact, a new class, after so many months,” a smiling Ziya Javed, student of Class 6 at a private school here, said.

Teachers expressed hope of a good year ahead so that students get uninterrupted education, saying the education of the children suffered last year due to the situation in the valley.

“Without getting into politics, I want to say that children's education suffered last year. I want regular, uninterrupted education for students this year and hope there are no disruptions this year,” a teacher at a private school in the city here said, wishing not to be identified.

While the government had made several efforts last year to re-open schools in a phased manner following the Centre's decision to do away with Jammu and Kashmir's special provisions, its attempts failed to bear any fruit as parents kept their wards at home due to apprehensions about their safety.

Towards the end of the year, few schools opened but asked students to attend their classes without wearing school uniforms.

Director School Education Kashmir, Mohammad Younis Malik has urged teachers to work with dedication for building capacities of students for their better future.

“It is our responsibility to extend our support to them and redouble efforts to get their syllabus completed well in time,” the director said.

He has instructed field officers to visit schools regularly to monitor the follow up of academic planner for timely accomplishment of set targets. PTI

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