Kashmir Valley school record 80% attendance

SRINAGAR - Jammu and Kashmir Education Minister Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed has said 80 per cent students attended schools in rural areas, whereas urban centres recorded 30 to 40 per cent of attendance.

Expressing satisfaction over opening of educational institutions across the Valley on Monday, Peerzada said: “Anantnag, Kulgam, Baramulla and Kupwara districts registered per cent of attendance, Shopian 60 per cent, Bandipora and Ganderbal 50 per cent each, Pulwama 30 per cent and Budgam and Srinagar around 30 per cent each.

Terming the opening of schools as a good beginning in right direction, Peerzada called for avoiding politicking on the issue.

“We cannot afford to derive any political gains on opening of schools and resuming academic activities as the issue concerns career of Lakhs of students, whose future has to be safeguarded by one and all”, he said.

He further appreciated the bravery of students and teachers who attended the classes today.

He also appreciated forthcoming parents and teachers whose dedication, he believed, had helped to open the schools.

After remaining shut for three months, schools reopened in violence-hit Kashmir Valley on Monday.

The State government had on Sunday directed the staff at schools to be present in their establishments, a day after the Centre asked the Jammu and Kashmir Government to reopen schools as part of an eight-point peace package for the Valley.

Exams for Class 10 and Class 12 are to start in the last week of October and first week of November respectively.

Over 3.25 lakh students are registered with the Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education for secondary and senior secondary classes.

The recent eruption of violence has left the government searching for a new strategy to deal with the protests.

At least 93 people have died in the last three months. The Kashmir Valley has also been subjected to a series of shutdowns and frequent curfews during this period. (ANI)