Srinagar: After over four months of closure, the schools in the Valley opened today with mixed emotions among the children as they met their friends and classmates.Due to the ongoing unrest in Kashmir, the schools had been lying shut since July 1. The decision to re-open the schools was taken by the Private Schools’ Association Kashmir (PSAK) ahead of a full-day relaxation given by separatist leadership today and tomorrow.PASK chairman GN Var said the schools that come under the association witnessed around 50 per cent attendance on an average.“Ninetynine per cent private schools opened and the attendance was also good in all schools. In some schools, attendance was 40 per cent while in others it was 50 per cent. In Welkins School, Sopore, 85 per cent students attended their classes. We are consulting all stakeholders now and see what can be done to continue the academic activities,” Var said.Var said as there was a full day relaxation in the Hurriyat protest calendar tomorrow (Sunday), the schools would remain open tomorrow too so as to compensate the academic loss suffered by the students.However, the missionary schools and some government schools could not resume their classes today, according to reports.As the government has already announced mass promotion from Classes V to IX, the students’ started their new academic calendar from today. Many believe that the situation in schools will be dependent on the next protest calendar issued by the Hurriyat Conference.“Around 9 to 10 per cent attendance was recorded in government schools across Srinagar district. And we encourage students to attend classes as we are worried about their future,” said a senior official of Srinagar administration.Director School Education, Kashmir, (DSEK) Aijaz Ahmad Bhat said there was an improvement in attendance in the government schools in all districts.“There was an overall improvement in attendance in all government schools today. In Pulwama and Srinagar districts, the students were not attending their classes but today there was a positive response. We hope this will continue now,” he said.
Tribune News Service