Some private schools to fill academic gaps on Sundays

In an attempt to compensate the loss of academic session due to strikes and curfew, some private schools in Kashmir have decided to keep their institutions open on Sundays.

A large number of students could be seen at bus stops in many parts of the city early this morning. Among the leading schools which opened on Sunday for classes were the several branches of Delhi Public School in Srinagar, Budgam, Baramulla and Anantnag districts of the Valley.

The move comes in response to frequent strikes called by the separatists and curfew imposed by the government in the past two weeks.

While authorities have imposed curfew on nine days in March due to various reasons, separatists, who are demanding return of mortal remains of Parliament attack convict Mohammad Afzal Guru, have called for strike on three days during the same period.

While parents are satisfied with the decision, they asked the government and the separatists to ensure that education institutes are not affected by the stir. “Education should be conflict neutral. Both the sides should think of a way out to enable the learning process to continue,” Mohammad Yousuf, whose daughter was one of the students attending school, said.

Mansoor Ahmad, a parent, said the students had suffered during the 2010 summer agitation and it should not be repeated this year.