Rehan Qayoom Mir
Srinagar, Sep 13: The Arya Samaj Trust reopened one of its oldest educational institutions here after almost 35 years.
Located at Maharaj Gunj, the heart of Srinagar City’s city downtown, the school was shut down during the early 1990s, and soon after its closure, the building was reportedly taken over by a local man who had established a private institute on the premises.
The principal of the school, Samina Javed, said the institution has been reopened “at the same location, within the same building and under the same management, after almost decades”.
The school session began in April 2023 this year, with an enrollment of 35 students up to class 7, she said.
The principal, who is from Lucknow, said, “As of now, we are not following the fee structure of DAV, and the school here in downtown is for the needy people and for those who cannot afford the fee.”
“Before the ‘90s, most of the schools in the valley were affiliated with the Arya Samaj, and among them, two of our schools continue, which include DAV Rainawari and DAPP in Wazir Bagh, Srinagar,” Sameena added.
Zaika, one of the students attending the reopened school said, “I’m excited to be part of this historic reopening. It is a chance for us to receive a quality education in our own neighbourhood.”
“The fact that this school is focused on helping those who cannot afford high fees is truly inspiring. Education should be accessible to everyone,” she added.
Likewise, all schools across India which are affiliated with the Arya Samaj are known as Dayanand Arya Vidyalaya (DAV).
