Residents slam move to shut tuition centres across Valley

Rifat Mohidin

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, April 22

The decision by the state Education Minister to close private tuition centres across Kashmir for three months is receiving severe criticism from residents.

Minister for Education Syed Altaf Bukhari on Sunday directed the closure of all private tuition centres in the Kashmir valley for 90 days in the backdrop of student protests.

However, the residents termed the move illogical saying it would cause severe harm to the careers of students. “This is illogical. If it is to stop the protests then the government should first close schools because this is where the protests originated,” said Jabeena Dar, a parent.

“Due to the ongoing situation, the children are mostly dependent on private tuitions but now the government is hell-bent in closing them also. Where else in India do these things happen?” Dar questioned the government’s decision.

The decision has been taken in view of the widespread student protests over the rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in Kathua.

Junaid Yusuf, who runs Aakash coaching centres in Srinagar having around 1,500 students on roll, termed the move ‘ill-advised’.

“The government should reverse the move because it’s completely illogical. The authorities don’t bother about the syllabus of students. This is going to have negative consequences,” Yusuf said.