Govt keeps fingers crossed, plans to reopen schools

Rifat Mohidin

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, October 21

If the government succeeds in reopening schools from November 1, the winter break will be cut short this year, said an official.

During the past more than three months of unrest in the Valley, the government has been unsuccessful in reopening schools as parents have said they cannot risk sending their children to school in a volatile situation.

The official said the government was keeping its fingers crossed as it wasn’t sure whether it would be successful in reopening the school this year.

The schools in the Valley are lying shut since July following the killing of militant commander Burhan Wani.

“We are planning to reopen schools from November 1, but nothing can be said as the situation is uncertain. If we are successful in reopening the schools from November, we might cut short the vacation this year because a lot of time has already been wasted,” said an official who didn’t want to be named.

The winter vacation in the Valley starts in the second week of December and lasts for nearly two and a half months depending on the weather.

If the schools fail to reopen any time sooner, then it is certain that the students will lose full 7-8 months of their regular class work.

The official said the priority for the government was to conduct the Board exams of Class X and XII as scheduled as uncertainty loomed over the situation with the separatist shutdown call extended till October 27.

“For now, we are focusing on conducting the exams of Class X and XII on the scheduled dates and after that we will conduct the exams of other classes in December if everything goes according to the plan. The relaxation in syllabus will be announced in a few days for the students of Class X and XII,” the official added.

“The situation is improving and we are hopeful that after the shifting of the Darbar to the winter capital (Jammu), the situation may get calm and schools can be opened,” said the official.

The government had on July 20 taken a sudden decision to reopen the schools in Bandipora, Baramulla, Budgam and Ganderbal districts. The response, however, was negative from both teachers and students due to continuous shutdowns and restrictions.