SRINAGAR: As Government has sought cooperation from the parents and students besides separatists to put on track educational system again in the Kashmir valley, a number of educational institutions however, remained under the occupation of security forces, rushed here from different parts of the country to maintain law and order.
All the educational institutions, which were scheduled to reopen on July 17 after availing summer vacation from July Ist, remained closed following violence, that left 84 people dead and over 9500 others injured in security force action after the death of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) commander Burhan Wani and two other militants on July 8.
Meanwhile, local media reports that Lashker-e-Toiba (LeT) has warned Minister for Education Naeem Akhtar not to force reopening of educational institutions in the valley, where present uprising is in favour of the demand of right to self determination.
Mr Naeem has recently quoted the verses of Holy Quran about importance of education among the children.
In an interview to a private television channel and Doordarshan recently, he has appealed people to allow resumption of classes in the valley, where the State Board of School Education (SBOSE) has announced 10th and 12th class examinations in second week of November. The examinations were scheduled to be held in October.
Mr Naeem has said that even separatists are not against resumption of education which was necessary to help our children to complete in state and national level competitions.
However, the decision of the SBOSE to conduct examinations evoked sharp reaction from students and parents alleging that in some educational institutions even 50 per cent syllabus has not been completed.
Many students have already decided to boycott the examinations since they have not completed their syllabus yet. They demanded that examinations be held in March.
However, Mr Naeem, who refused any concession in the syllabus said that to allow students prepare for competitive examinations next week, it was necessary that students appear in examinations in November to get enough time for preparation for medical and engineering examinations.
He said that competition was necessary as it was seen that eight class students are not able to solve even 2nd class papers.
However, the comment of the minister came under severe criticism as people said this situation is witnessed only in government schools only.
All private and government educational institutions remained closed due to curfew and restrictions imposed by the authorities and strike called by both the factions of the Hurriyat Conference (HC) and Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) who are issuing protest calendars since July 9.Hundreds of students of rich parents have now shifted to Jammu and other parts of the north Kashmir for further study since schools remained closed in the valley.
However, in a number of areas in the Kashmir valley, including summer capital, Srinagar, educated youths have opened coaching centres where students are been given lectures free of cost.
Hundreds of teachers have also joined the cause and trying to complete the syllabus of students who lost more than two months.
A UNI correspondent who visited a number of schools in the city saw paramilitary forces deployed there.
Security forces, housed in Government Girls Higher Secondary School , Kothibagh, have occupied the schools and constructed bunkers. Nearby Middle school also remained closed.
Security forces had also occupied M P School in the down town and National School at Karan Nagar area of the city.
DAV School at Jawahar Nagar also remained under the occupation of the security force who were seen patrolling in the area.
However, Border Security Force (BSF), who had occupied S P School on Moulana Azad Raod, had withdrawn from there.
Educational institutions also remained closed other parts of the Kashmir valley, though some local teachers and educated youths were teaching the students without charging any fee from them.
Yesterday a group of demonstrators attacked a private school in Chattabal area of the down town where classes were held in the morning. Later management closed the school till further the situation improves.
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