Riyaz Bhat
Srinagar, Jul 7: Following the 15-days summer break, the government Monday decided to reopen the schools in Kashmir on July-08.
The Minister of Education Sakeena Itoo said, “We have decided to reopen the schools on Tuesday.”
Itoo also said that the schools falling under the Srinagar Municipality Limits shall function from 7:30 Am to 11:30 Am.
She said that the schools outside the Srinagar Municipality Limits shall function from 8Am to 12Pm.
The minister further informed KNO that the schools shall conduct two online classes to complete the syllabus on time. Adding that “After a 1-hour break, 2 online classes will follow. Teachers to remain available till 2 PM.”
“All Head of the Institutions (HoIs) must ensure online classes are conducted without exception,” she said.
In the meantime, parents and teachers have expressed resentment against the new school timing issued post summer break.
One of the parents, Nasreena said, “It is totally injustice to the students to wake them up at 6Am and get them ready by 7Am.”
She said, “Minor kids already require extra time to sleep for their good mental health but on the contrary, the School Education Department issued an unjustified timing for them.”
I would prefer to keep my kids back at home. For me the health of my wards is more important. The new school timing schedule must be revised for the betterment of the students,” Nasreena said.
Another parent said, “Many of the students who have working parents are worried about receiving their wards. I wonder who will receive them because the timing of the schooling is very odd.”
“If it was possible for students to attend the online classes throughout the year during COVID-19, why is it hard for the School Education Department to adopt the same mechanism for some time,” questioned a parent.
Likewise the teachers have said that “Conducting online classes one hour after will be a burden for the students. The government must revise the online classes’ timing so that there won’t be any burden for the students.”
“School Education Department can adopt the evening timing for the online classes in order to ease the burden on students,” they said.
Pertinently, the government had announced 15-days summer break for schools in Kashmir division from June-23 to July-07.
