Early Times Report
Srinagar, Sept 16: Despite reopening of primary and middle schools four weeks ago by authorities, attendance in educational institutes continue to be thin owing to uncertainty in Kashmir valley following scrapping of Articles 370 and 35A. However, mohalla tuition centres have come up in different localities in the valley, where children are taught by local teachers. All educational institutions, including universities, engineering and other professional colleges were closed on August 5, when Articles 370 and 35A were scrapped and the state divided into two -- Ladakh as union territory, Kashmir and Jammu another union territory by the centre, evoking sharp and spontaneous reaction. Parents, who are still hesitant to send their children to schools due to uneasy situation, expressed their concern that if there is any untoward incident how will they know it since there is no communication. The administration had in the fourth week of August ordered reopening of schools and assured safety of students without actually doing anything on the ground. ''We used to get phone calls from school asking us to take our children back in case of any law and order problem,'' the parents said, adding ''due to communication gag how we would know about any incident.'' But, private schools have asked their respective students to collect assignments and video lessons though government school students are not that lucky. The government had ordered reopening of primary schools from August 19 and Middle schools from August 21. However, almost all schools in Srinagar wore a deserted look though 60 to 70 per cent teachers and other staff attended their respective institutions. Private schools also remained closed. However, good number of students attended schools in Kupwara, Bandipora and central Kashmir district of Ganderbal, he said. The Kashmir University (KU), Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST), Central University Kashmir (CUK) and Cluster university also remained closed. Students of these universities who were staying in hotels have already left for their home. The IUST hae also postponed all semester examinations. All private and government engineering and poly-technical colleges also remained closed. The National Institute of Technology (NIT), Srinagar also remained closed and students of different states have left for their homes under security on August 6. The coaching and tuition centres in the valley remained closed. |
