DAY 60: Schools open, students stay away

Srinagar, Oct 3:  Jammu and Kashmir government’s decision to reopen high and higher secondary institutions failed to make any mark as students preferred to stay away from the classrooms on Thursday.

Government had announced reopening of high and higher secondary from Thursday. However, most of the government schools wore a deserted look as students did not show up. 

“We have been waiting for students but none of them turned up,” said one of the teachers at Government Higher Secondary School Raj Bagh.

Sri Pratap Higher Secondary School, one of the premier institutions of Srinagar, has been taken over by the CRPF. Staff members said no teaching work could take place as all the classrooms are used by the paramilitary force.

“Around 1500 students are studying in the school but not a single student turned up for their classes on Thursday,” said an official of the school.

A noted private school of the valley wore a deserted look as students preferred to stay away from classrooms.

“Parents do not want to send their children to the school because they are very worried about their safety. Our school buses are also not plying on their respecting routes,” said a staff member of the school

Most of the parents preferred not to send their wards to schools despite government announcement.    “We cannot send our children to schools because there is no guarantee of the safety of our children. In normal days when phones were working I used to call the driver to confirm whether my child reached safety to the school,” said a parent.

All educational institutions including schools, colleges and university have remained closed since August 5, when Centre abrogated Article 370.

Earlier on August 19, authorities ordered to reopen primary schools which were followed by middle schools from August 21. Despite the directive, students continued to stay away from schools. 

District Development Commissioner, Srinagar, Shahid Iqbal Chowdhary, said: “I do not have any information about schools. Please talk to school education authorities.”

Joint Director Abid Ahmad refused to comment. Director School Education Dr Younis Malik was not available for the comments.