Very poor response from students as schools reopens after 6 months in Kashmir

Very poor response was witnessed from students in the Kashmir valley, where government has announced to partially reopen schools from Monday after remaining closed due to COVID-19 since March this year.

“ Schools are not for regular classes but consultation”, Principal Secretary; School Education & skill Development Dr Asgar Hassan Samoon said All educational institutions in the Kashmir valley were closed in March this year due lock down and restrictions imposed by the government due to COVID 19 pandemic.

Unlock 4 guidelines by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) allow schools to partially reopen from September 21, stating that students from Classes 9 to 12 will be allowed to visit teachers for a limited time to seek guidance. The guidelines said parent consent is mandatory, and the relaxation does not apply to containment zones. However, the reopening of schools evoked sharp reaction from political and social organizations besides parents who questioned the government’s decision alleging lack of proper facilities. Parents said they had to give an undertaking that if their children are infected the schools are not responsible for it which is totally unacceptable. They further said the number of COVID-19 positive cases and deaths are witnessing daily increase in the valley.A UNI correspondent who visited a number of High and Higher Secondary Schools (HSS) in Srinagar saw very less number of students, some of them in uniforms, attended their schools.At Nawakadal in the down town there was hardly any student though teaching staff were present. However, the situation in Kothi Bagh Girls HSS was a little different as students, some of them in uniforms, could be seen in the schools wearing masks. We have kept masks so that any student who is not wearing masks could be provided, principal of the school said.Similar reports were received from other parts of the Kashmir valley, where parents questioned the necessity for filing undertaking that school was not responsible if their children got infected. Why the school management and government cannot take responsibility, the parents asked.

Dr Samoon said “schools reopening Monday not for regular classes but consultation” by volunteer secondary students on consent of parents with 50 per cent teachers on roster as per MHA lockdown 4 guidelines and Minister of Health and Family Welfare protocols conveyed by chief secretary and circulated to Deputy Commissioners (DCs) Directors and Chief Education Officers (CEOs). In reply to a question by a parent that there is no santization and no bothroom facilities in government schools, Dr Samoon said all Deputy Commissioners have been directed to monitor the functioning of schools.

Another parent to a question as a father, my child’s security is my primary concern and sending her to school could increase the risk of her catching COVID-19. The present pandemic situation and spike in Covid19 cases in Srinagar is a matter of enormous concern. You should reconsider your decision. Dr Samoon said please keep her home. “Young kids not to attend schools, he said adding unlock 4 decision is collective and at apex level.