Adil Lateef
SRINAGAR, Aug 11: As the education sector is the worst victim of the ongoing unrest in Kashmir with schools and colleges remaining closed, teachers in some areas have started community classes to compensate the academic losses of students.
As curfew and shutdown continue, the teachers in several areas of Srinagar, Kulgam, Pulwama and Anantnag districts have started community classes in their localities and are providing free-of-cost-coaching to students. “Since there is no end to shutdowns and curfews, I have decided to give classes to the children of my locality and this will help them once they re-join classes,” said a teacher of Hyderpora area of Srinagar.
In South Kashmir’s Qazi Mohalla area of Anantnag district, dozens of children turned up to attend the community classes and avail free coaching in times of curfew and shutdown. Muhammad Ishaq, one of the teachers who volunteered himself for providing free coaching, said: “We started these classes because we were seeing these children wasting their time by wandering here and there. No doubt the situation is grim but we are trying our level best to keep children connected with books.”
Although the State’s Education Department last month announced opening of schools in four districts of Valley including at Ganderbal, Baramulla, Budgam and Bandipora but not a single student turned up to attend the classes as parents expressed reservations over the security of their wards.
Speaking to Excelsior, the president of Joint Coordination Committee of Private Schools, GN Var, said they are mulling to start the community classes all across the Kashmir valley after August 15 so that students don’t lose track of their studies. “We are holding consultations with all stake holders in this regard. We hope everyone will cooperate in making this initiative a success,” he said.
To woo back students to schools, the Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) made an emotional appeal on its official Facebook page. “Without you, our days are lifeless. Children, when are you coming back to school? It has been a long time since the last morning prayer, since the last afternoon huddle. Come back, before we forget the art of teaching and you forget the joy of learning, come back to salvage the old friendships. We miss you,” it stated.
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