Sumeya Jan
Srinagar June 12 (KINS): With uncertainty looms large over reopening of schools, authorities have stressed for community schooling in Jammu and Kashmir.
There is uncertainty over reopening of schools amid COVID-19 lock down in Jammu and Kashmir.
Concerned over losses to students by lockdown, authorities have stressed for community schooling.
“In view of continuous COVID-19 lockdown in Jammu and Kashmir, all local teachers, masters and lecturers may volunteer for community schooling within their locality, mohalla, village with parental support while strictly adhering to all SOPs social distancing and preventive measures,” Principal Secretary Education Department Dr Asgar Samoon said as per news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS).
Earlier this month, the education department had said that they were planning to reopen schools from mid-June.
However, the Centre recently said that schools won’t be reopened till August.
An official said the reopening of schools will increase the public movement in the valley which means the end of lockdown. “There are 15 lakh students studying in government schools and another 10 lakh are in private schools. Once schools open, there will be increased public movement. This will end the lockdown. So the government has to be careful before announcing the reopening of schools, ” the official said.
Community schools have already been set up in various parts of the valley to ensure that the students who miss out on schooling stay in touch with their education. These schools are entirely run on the resources and labour pooled by young people.
A group of youth in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district have started a community school.
“Proper distance is being maintained while teaching students. We don’t see any improvement in the situation. The biggest casualty is the education and mental growth of young ones. It is necessary to start community schools to compensate the losses to students,” said Bashir Ahmad, who teaches in one of the community schools.
Farooq Ahmad, a private school teacher said it was good that the government is suggesting teachers to start community schools in their respective areas.
“But proper protocol should be followed to ensure there is no spread of infection,” he added. (KINS)
