Schools set to reopen in Kashmir
Irfan Tramboo
Srinagar, Feb 25: As the schools are set to reopen within a few days across Kashmir, the Traffic Department has issued a volley of directions for ensuring smooth movement of traffic during rush hours while as the Private Schools Association today said that no exams will be conducted during the first week of schooling to make the same stress-free.
The Traffic Department said that the schools are going to open in the first week of March and that there is a need to have a proper traffic management plan in place.
In an advisory issued by the SSP Traffic City, Muzzafar Ahmad Shah, the parents have been advised to use designated parking places while visiting schools and avoid unnecessary parking of vehicles outside the schools.
“Parents are requested to minimize congestion outside the school while dropping their wards off in the morning & picking them up in the afternoon. Parents are requested to kindly verify the following few norms of the vehicles ferrying their kids to schools, a valid driving license of the driver,” it stated.
The parents have been asked to ensure there is no overloading in the vehicles, including making sure that the driver has 5-year experience in driving
“Parents are requested to use public transport/school transport for ferrying of their wards to schools instead of private vehicles/vans & also discourage their minor wards from using scooty & bikes for travelling to school.”
The Traffic Department also stated that the school authorities have been advised to cooperate with Traffic Police City Srinagar by formulating a robust transport plan which would decongest traffic outside schools and avoid traffic jams at the time when students enter/leave school premises.
“School authorities are requested to maximize the use of school transport for ferrying of the students,” the advisory stated.
Meanwhile, the Private Schools Association of Jammu and Kashmir (PSAJK) said that the first week of reopening of schools will be celebrated as a week of happiness and sharing of experiences, so that students start the session in a stress-free environment and that there will be no tests during the first week of schooling.
The Association said that the last two years of closure of schools and pandemic severely affected children and apart from the education they need emotional healing.
“They (children) have to be gently made part of the school system again without overwhelming them,” G.N. Var who heads the PSAJK said.
The Association said that there should be no examination or tests during the first week, no mandatory uniform while ensuring a stress-free atmosphere
The PSAJK also underlined that there must be children who would have lost their parents or a sibling due to the pandemic and that there is a need to speak with them and let them share their stories.
“Some must have been unwell. Share their agony. Share your goodwill. There must be some children who left their books in long back and will touch them again now. Tell them not to worry. Reassure them,” the Association advised the schools.
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