SRINAGAR: Grappling to reopen classes amidst curfew imposed by the authorities and shutdowns called by separatists, a prominent school in the Kashmir Valley has decided to remain open on Sunday.
This, the school communique says, has been done to make up for the lost classes and conduct year-end examination due this month.
“The DPS is among very few schools in Kashmir Valley that follow the CBSE calendar and holds final exams in March instead of December like other schools here. But half of March, which is crucial for DPS students, is already marred by curfews and shutdowns,” said Javeed Ahmad, a parent.
Kashmir is on the edge since the execution of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru on February 9. Since then, normal life resumed only for a week in the valley with most days consumed by street protests, curfew and separatists’ shutdowns.
Schools, which reopened after the winter break on March 11, only saw a couple of working days.
Several schools in the valley are mulling to hold classes on Sundays because there are several days of shutdowns and protests every week according to separatists weekly agitation “calendar”.
But many are skeptical that the government will allow such a substitution for others as it will give a perception that the separatists are dictating terms.
On Saturday, several private schools in north and south Kashmir on Saturday informed students not to attend classes. “We decided not to hold classes. The move was made because Hurriyat leaders had asked students to lodge protests in their campuses. Holding classes would have vitiated atmosphere. We did not want to risk the lives of our students,” said a principal of a private school in south Kashmir on the condition of anonymity.
The Joint Advisory Council, a conglomerate of separatist groups formed to pressurise the centre to return remains of Guru and JKLF founder Maqbool Bhat, had asked students to carry out protest procession in their colleges and schools on Saturday.
Security was also beefed up outside degree colleges in the valley to keep protesters at bay.
The Kashmir University administration only allowed students with valid identity cards to enter the campus. A tight vigil was maintained on them.
The varsity had to postpone around a dozen examination dates in the wake of curfew and shutdowns since the hanging.
(Courtesy: HT, with additional inputs)
