Srinagar: Schools in Kashmir opened on Monday after remaining shut for over six months. The educational institutes in the valley had closed after restrictions and shutdown following the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5 and in between the customary three-month winter break was also announced by the government.
On Monday, most schools in Srinagar were buzzing with students and parents were seen accompanying students to their schools were hopeful that education won’t suffer in the future. “We hope that if any time in future Kashmir witnesses a clampdown, the education should not suffer. And this year we are expecting there will be no such situation like it was last year.” Said Mohammad Lateef a parent accompanying a student to school.
Students expressed joy over the prospect of seeing their friends after such long gap. “I’m feeling very happy I joined school. It’s my 11th class, it’s my crucial year. I hope this year will be fine and education won’t suffer.” Said a student. “We were missing our friends, whom we met after so long, we are feeling very happy. We are really excited.” The student added.
“Last year after the abrogation of Article 370, we went to school only for 10 days. Now, I’m feeling very happy. This year I hope everything will be ok. Last year it was my 10th. I couldn’t complete my syllabus in the school.” Said another student.
Mariya Latif a student of Kothi Bagh school in Srinagar said. “We came to school after 7 months today. It’s a different feeling, we suffered a lot last year as there no school. We hope 2020 will start with a new energy with a new zeal.. We hope this year everything will be fine and particularly for the education.”
After the abrogation of Article 370 government ordered the opening of the schools in a phased manner in Kashmir as a step towards restoring normalcy, but the move was a nonstarter with students not turning up in the schools.
The government has announced timing for the schools falling within the Srinagar municipal limits. It will be 10:00 a.m. to 3 p.m. while in rest of the Kashmir division timing will be 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
