Srinagar – Delhi Public School, Srinagar has asked all its teaching staff to ensure their presence at the school despite a government directive to the contrary.
A delegation of teachers told Kashmir Observer that they have been asked to remain present in the school and they can’t even raise objections.
On 11 March, The Jammu and Kashmir administration ordered closure of all educational institutions across the union territory till March 31 as a precautionary measure amid the Coronavirus scare.
“All schools, colleges, and universities of Jammu and Kashmir to suspend teaching and classwork till March 31,” Director National Health Mission (NHM), Bhupinder Kumar, told reporters here.
On Wednesday the Srinagar district administration issued an advisory specifically asking teachers in Srinagar district to remain off duty as all classwork in all educational institutions remains suspended.
The teachers said that they have to travel to school in local transport with other passengers “some coughing some sneezing”.
“We have been asked to prepare video lessons for the students but how can we do that at 2g speed,” said a teacher who wished not to be named fearing disciplinary action by the school administration. Another teacher again on the condition of anonymity said many female teachers were not comfortable with giving video lessons for fear of footage getting misused.”
When contacted Chairman, DPS, Srinagar Vijay Dhar told Kashmir Observer that some staff members have been asked to remain present in the school to prepare video lessons for the students.
“We don’t want to waste time of students, so on a rotation basis we have asked some staff members to be present in the school. If any teacher has any objection tell them to sit at home” Dhar said.
When asked why doesn’t DPS, Srinagar follow government circular, Dhar said that, “Govt has also asked us to provide video lessons to the students and that can’t be done from home.”
“On the one hand government wants us to give video lessons to the students while on the other hand, they are asking teachers to stay at home. What should we do?” Dhar asked.
Dhar added that in times of 2G internet, it is impossible for teachers to prepare video lessons from home.
When KO tried to seek an answer from the Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar there was no response from the other end.
Chief Education Officer (CEO), Srinagar Naseer Ali Malik however told Kashmir Observer that DPS, Srinagar never abides by the government circulars.
“The DPS admin is very arrogant, they never abide by the rules and regulations set by the Govt and go on violating the orders,” Malik alleged.
When asked what action his department has taken so far, he said “Only Divisional Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner can take action against them as the private schools don’t fall in his domain,” Malik added.
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