SrinagarEven though weather in Kashmir remains pleasant government Thursday ordered 10 day long summer vacation in schools and colleges begining July 6.
The government decision has come in the backdrop of simmering unrest in the Kashmir valley and fear of protests on the first death anversery slain Hizb Commander, Burhan Muzaffar Wani on July 8.
The Jammu and Kashmir government on Thursday ordered the closure of all educational institutions in Kashmir region and Jammus winter zone on account of summer vacations from July 6 to 16. “It is hereby ordered that all Government Educational Institutions as also recognized private schools up to the Higher Secondary Level functioning in the Kashmir Division and winter zone of Jammu Division shall observe summer vacations with effect from July 6 to July 16,” said an official order issued today.
“Any default on part of private instituitions in observence of the calender of summer vacations so authorized shall attract action under rules,” it added.
The State Education Department has come under sharp criticism by announcing summer vacation for educational institutions in the Kashmir Valley where class work remained suspended for most of the time since April due to the student unrest.
Accusing PDP-BJP coalition government of ruining academic carrier of Kashmiri students, independent MLA Er. Sheikh Rasheed accused state government of giving up to Syed Salah-ud-dins calendar of protests which starts from July 8 to 13.
Netizens mostly parents castigated government for issuing what they called anti-student order. Since April class work has been affected in most of the colleges due to protests after Pulwama College incident.
Government doesnt care about the future of students. Were they concerned about the law and order issue they would have improved it rather than closing down schools and colleges at whim. To stop protests, Government has made students scapegoats, a netizen wrote on the social media networking site facebook.
Announcing summer vacation for schools and colleges at that time when temperature is hovering around 20 degree Celsius is unprecedented, weird and funny decision of Mehbooba led Government. Is Government supporting UJC’s call of observing Hafta Shohada by pretending it summer vacation for schools, colleges and universities, said an avid facebooker, Mukhtar Dar.
Pertinently, Syed Salahuddin, the Chief of militant outfit Hizbul Mujahidin has announced weeklong protests on both sides of the Line of Control (LoC) which divides Kashmir into two parts – each administered by India and Pakistan from July 8 to 13. July 8 is first death anniversary of Burhan wani and 13th July is observed as Martyrs Day in Kashmir in memory of those who laid down their lives fighting autocratic Dogra rule in 1931.
An official from Education Department wishing anonymity confirmed that the summer break has been declared in the wake of Hafta-e-Shuhada program announced by Hizb. There were apprehensions of disruption in law and order situation due to presence of students in the colleges. To avoid the disruption and to maintain order in the Valley, authorities found it convenient to announce summer break ahead of schedule, he said.
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