Schools reopen in Kashmir Valley after eight months

Schools in Kashmir Valley reopened on Wednesday after eight months much to the delight of students and their parents.

The schools in the Valley had been closed for the two-week summer break. However, as the Valley witnessed its worst turmoil in decades in the aftermath of the killing of militant commander Burhan Muzaffar Wani on July 8, normal life remained paralysed for five months.

When the unrest subsided, the schools were shut again on account of winter break on December 17. Due to the closure of schools, the J&K government had announced mass promotion for all students to the next grade in November last year except for Class X and XII students who appeared for the annual board examinations.

The State Board of School Education (BOSE) had relaxed 50% syllabi for the students appearing in these examinations. The BOSE had also given the students an option of skipping examinations in November and appearing for it in March without any curtailment in syllabi.  However, more than 95% students appeared for the November session, while for the remaining students exams are being held currently.

On the first day of reopening, thousands of children dressed in uniforms, resumed academic activity despite rainfall, which brought down the mercury. After staying home for eight months, students were eager to go back to schools.

“I want to see my classmates, as I cannot wait to reach school,” Yehya Ahmad, a middle school student, said while waiting for his school bus in uptown Sanatnagar area.An official of the school education department said, previously the schools had remained closed continuously for five months from December 1989 to May 1990.