Jammu and Kashmir schools to remain open during winters

SRINAGAR - Authorities of Jammu and Kashmir have decided to keep the schools open during the winter season.

This step has been taken to cover up the academic days lost due to frequent curfew restrictions and prolonged shutdown calls given by separatists during the period of June-September.

Interacting with mediapersons here on Wednesday, the Girls Higher Secondary School principal, Tasneema Sheikh, appreciated this move of the government.

“The situation was really bad due to which children were not able to attend school regularly. It is very good sign, I think this step taken by the government is in the interest of the students,” said Sheikh.

Sheikh further said school has geared up to conduct classes in the winter months with the aid of heating arrangements like charcoal fired heaters and blankets to keep the students warm.

Ishrat Zahoor, a school student, also believed that attending schools rather than sitting at home during winters would benefit the students to clear their incomplete syllabus.

“I think it’s better if we come to school in winters because we never trust Kashmir, we don’t know what will happen next year. If we can complete our syllabus in this time then even if God forbid there is agitation, we can revise things. This is going to help us a lot in that time,” said Zahoor.

Earlier, schools in valley used to remain closed for four months for the winter vacations. By Afzal Bhat (ANI)