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| Govt draws 'flak' for decision on Winter Schooling | | Education Minister now seeks public opinion, likely to recoil | | EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, Dec 29: Following outcry of parents, children and teachers as well over lack of infrastructure to run the winter schools in Kashmir valley, the government may finally withdraw its own decision and close the educational institutions. The government has drawn total flak for what it thought to be its 'ambitious' decision to keep the schools open in the wake of losses students suffered during five month long unrest. But there are reasons beyond the public criticism as to why it now wants to recoil on what it termed as mandatory for the larger interests of the students.
According to sources, the Education Department which has been in a state of dilemma for the last few days over increasing criticism for keeping the schools open in this harsh winter, may announce within two days the vacations during the winters, a normal practice which has been in place for the winter zone. Even though the schools and other educational institutions were desired to function from December 15 onwards, due to severe and biting cold Valley has been experiencing for the last two weeks has seen irregularity of the students and truancy of teachers as well, defeating the purpose of the government move, which the Education Department took with the consent of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
Sources said even as the Chief Minister had desired the facilities and infrastructure for heating arrangements to be in place in the government schools, these were far from normal, leave alone adequate to keep the students warm and sustain their interest in the classrooms. Sources said though the government kept a provision of adequate amount of around Rs 6 crores and 40 lakhs for ensuring this infrastructure in the schools, the Education Department has failed to explain and as to how it could ensure modalities for distribution and utilization of the funds for providing such facilities in a fair and need based manner.
Sources said it is the backdrop of this, the Finance Department which was to release the earmarked funds for running the Winter Schools Programme, has questioned the Education Department as to how it was going to spend the funds. The Finance Department's question mark has apparently put a halt on easy release of the funds which could be one of the reasons for putting some facilities in place, even as the school authorities have been asked to spend amount for facilities from theory own funds till other arrangements were made. But this too has nor worked.
Now, in the wake of fresh snowfall experienced in Valley today, the criticism and outcry has become louder prompting the Education Minister to seek the public opinion. Sources said, for the 'reasons' that have not worked and the factors which have not augured well for the government decision, the Education Department has made up mind to announce closure of schools for winter vacations as normal. But since the decision was taken with great assertion and determination, it does not want to go back on its own rather attribute it to the public pressure. This is why the Education Minister Peerzada Mohammad Syed has himself come out with a statement seeking suggestions and opinion of the general public about continuity of the winter schools.
Minister for Education, Peerzada Mohammad, giving background of the reasons in his statement said "a conscious decision was taken to impart the education and complete the syllabus, government as well as private schools during winter months as an unprecedented measure".
The Minister sought suggestions from general public, citizens, media persons and educationists to point out the loopholes if any in continuation of winter schooling. He said that schools have been already directed to make necessary heating arrangements out of local funds and maintenance of school schemes. Rs 25000 have already been kept at the disposal of Principals of High and Higher Secondary schools for face-lifting of the school and repairs of window panes wherever necessary.
"We are open to all kinds of suggestions so that neither education of the children suffers nor their health is affected nor they face any inconvenience while attending these winter schools" Peerzada said and in the same breath appealing parents to send their wards to these winter schools so that they function effectively.
The Minister said that it has been found that private coaching centres are charging heavy fee to the students and poor majority of the students are not able to attend such private coaching centres, therefore government has kept winter schooling as a facility to the such students. |
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