Help students in Srinagar, CBSE tells teachers

In view of the ongoing turmoil in the Valley, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will make special arrangements for Class XII students in Srinagar to prepare for the board examinations.

As the curfew continues to remain in most parts of the Valley, the board on Sunday initiated a move to arrange additional teachers from other parts of the country, including Jammu, to address the needs of its students.

In all, five schools affiliated to the board are operating in Srinagar. “We have decided to make special arrangements for our students as the situation in Kashmir is taking a serious toll on them, particularly those who have to appear for their annual board examinations in March 2017 and those taking several competitive examinations,” a CBSE official said.

Life thrown out of gear

While life in Kashmir continues be thrown out of gear, the unrest has posed a new challenge for the schools in Srinagar as they have to complete the academic programmes by October this year.

“Courses have to be completed latest by October 2016. Our schools in Srinagar are winter-bound and left with a limited window for teaching and completion of the courses. The schools are unable to conduct regular classes due to curfews, law and order problems and disruptions in life,”the official added.

As it would not be possible for all those teaching in Jammu & Kashmir to volunteer to help the five schools in Srinagar to complete their courses within the available time frame, the board has written to Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan as well as other CBSE schools to send at the earliest  a list of the teachers who were “willing to contribute”.

“Our Panchkula regional office is coordinating the efforts. We have promised that we will make all arrangements for those teachers voluntarily willing to contribute. We have not made it mandatory for any teacher,” a senior CBSE official told DH.