KALEEM GEELANI

SRINAGAR: With the closure of schools over coronavirus scare, students have been asked to collect study material in pen drives while as some parents expressed displeasure over it.
A group of parents said that they received a message from school asking them to collect study material.
“We received a text message late evening from the school authorities informing us to collect study material. We were given study material in pen drives for up to 31st of March,” said a group of parents.
They expressed dismay over the frequent closure of educational institutions in Kashmir valley.
Afaq, a parent said, “Earlier, our educational institutes were shut due to abrogation of Article 370, then there was a winter break and now it’s a virus scare. Education has always been at the receiving end here. We and our children continue to suffer by one way or the other.”
She added, “Schooling is essential for every child, but here in Kashmir, it hardly works out. I can’t understand how much can we teach our children at our home. The study material can’t substantiate what a student learns at school.”
Imaad, a student of class 10th at Tyndale Biscoe School said, “Our studies are getting affected by different reasons which has direct impact on our performance. Lately, we had a long gap due to shutdown. Now this virus outbreak has come as another shock for our studies.”
The administration on Tuesday evening ordered closure of all government as well as private schools, colleges and universities in Kashmir valley from 12th March to 31st of March following pandemic of COVID-19 all over the world.
Administration has already announced closure of government and private schools up to primary level in four districts of Kashmir valley on March 8th to prevent outbreak of coronavirus among children.

Reader correspondent