Centre asks J&K L-G to defer reopening of schools
What is the logic of opening schools when every day more than 100 people are testing positive for Covid-19. How can we put the life of our children at risk.
ATEEQA BEGUM, parent
JAMMU:UNION minister Dr Jitendra Singh on Wednesday asked the Jammu and Kashmir administration to defer its decision of reopening schools and charging vehicle registration tax.
“Have spoken to Jammu and Kashmir UT administration and suggested that decisions regarding vehicle registration tax and reopening of schools may be deferred,” the Union minister of state Dr Jitendra Singh tweeted on Wednesday.
There had been strong resentment among the people over the UT adminitration’s purported move to reopen schools from June 15, especially among the parents.
Former J&K women commission chairperson Vasundra Pathak Masoodi in a letter to lieutenant governor had described the plan as “an abject contravention and violation of the guidelines issued by the home ministry under the National Disaster Act”.
In her letter on June 1 to the L-G, Masoodi had taken strong exception to the education department’s circular issued in Srinagar wherein it was stated that the administration intended to re-open schools in mid-june.
“I have been approached by many parents across the UT who shared their fear and unwillingness to let their wards join school until the threat of Covid-19 pandemic is over as they are apprehensive that the children may not be able to strictly adhere to the social distancing norms,” she had stated in her letter.
Reportedly, in an official circular, directors of education department in Kashmir and Jammu divisions were directed to ensure pairs of reusable masks and gloves to every student and ensure availability of 1,000ml hand sanitisers and 1,200ml liquid soap at the entry point of each government school.
NO DECISION TAKEN YET, SAYS LG ADVISER
Following the centre’s intervention, L-G adviser K K Sharma, who is also in-charge of the school education department, said the UT administration has not taken any decision to reopen the schools on June 15 yet.
He, however, said instructions have been issued to schools to ensure sanitisation of the premises in view of Covid-19 across J&K.
PARENTS EXPRESS RESENTMENT
Meanwhile in Kashmir, many parents termed the school reopening decision idiotic and risky for their children. “What is the logic of opening schools when every day more than 100 people are testing positive for Covid-19. Even the shops and markets are still closed. How can we put the life of our children at risk,” asked Ateeqa Begum, 45, mother of three schoolgoers. Resentment was expressed on the social media as well. “...Expecting school children to undertake social distancing and follow safety protocols, when doctors are falling prey to the virus, is nothing but idiocy,” said Faheem Aslam, a Srinagar resident.