Riyaz Bhat
Srinagar, Jul 8: The parents and the students Tuesday responded with mixed reactions to the first day of new school timing that was announced after the 15-days of summer break.
A news agency spoke to several teachers and students who responded with mixed reactions wherein some of the parents opined of change in school timing and others suggested adjusting the new school time decision to complete the syllabus on time.
One of the parents, Asiya Jan said, “My son is studying in 6th class and it takes him nearly 20-30 minutes to reach his school. In the morning when I tried to wake him, he couldn’t. Instead he resisted not going to school that early.”
“The new school timing is not suitable for all of the students and I think there is a dire need to change it with immediate effect for the wellbeing of the kids,” she said.
Another parent, Abdul Hameed said that he and his wife are both working parents. “My wife had to apply for a leave only to receive our son from the schools.
He said that the government can conduct online classes till the weather turns out to be a bit normal. “The heatwave is a matter of a week or two and mostly then after the weather will not remain the same. I suggest that the government shall conduct the online classes till then for the wellbeing of the students.”
In the meantime, a student of one of the private schools said, “The decision of new school timing is good to some extent because I believe that the students won’t be able to complete the syllabi on time if there is further reduction in academics.”
“Moreover, the students are now supposed to appear in the annual exams in November-December instead of March-April and keeping in view the time left to complete the syllabi, it is mandatory and utmost important for the School Education Department to conduct the physical classes regularly,” he said.
Another parent said that the decision of new school timing should be respected and followed in letter and spirit for the future of our students. “I think even if there are some hardships for the parents and students pertaining to the new school timing, we all must encourage our wards to adhere to it for their betterment.”
He said, “The parents can compromise with it for the better future of their wards.”
Minister of Education Sakeena Itoo said, “I am getting a number of calls from the various concerned stakeholders with regard to the new school timing that was announced yesterday post summer break.”
“The new school timing is not the final decision. If we find that there is a need to amend it, we will revise it accordingly,” she said.
Itoo further said, “Since we have shifted the academic session to November-December, the only issue for now is to complete the syllabi before the exams.”
