By: Gul Owais
Srinagar: As the government has ordered closure of schools upto Class 12th across Jammu and Kashmir due to spike in COVID-19 cases, many pre-schools in Srinagar are open for the students.
These institutions are violating the government directives and are also putting the lives of small kids at risk.
Pertinently, to contain the spike in the number of COVID-19 cases in Jammu and Kashmir, the government on April 04, 2021 announced that schools from primary to Class 9 will remain closed for two weeks starting Monday. Classes 10, 11 and 12 will also be closed for one week in all schools from Monday till April 11 in the entire J&K,” the office of J&K LG tweeted. However, all exams for Class 10 and 12 shall be held as per the schedule.
However, an order issued only yesterday said that after taking an overall assessment of the situation pertaining to the spread of COVID-19 in Jammu and Kashmir, the state executive committee has decided that all schools in the Union Territory shall remain closed till April 18.
Nonetheless, the pre-schools teaching less than four-year-old kids have been kept open at some places, sources said.
They said a pre-school in Humhama area of Srinagar, is still functioning normally despite the government’s directive about the closure of the schools.
When this reporter contacted the faculty members of the pre-school, they confirmed that the physical classes are going on, saying that they also hold virtual classes whenever need arises.
It has also come to the fore another pre-school in Rawalpora is also open for the physical classes. However, there was no confirmation in this regard.
Meanwhile, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Syed Abdul Hanief Balkhi said that necessary action will be initiated in this regard. “We will send a team to verify the reports and if any violations are found, necessary action will be initiated,” he said.