In a blatant violation of government order, the private schools in city and other parts of valley have scheduled the Term 1 exams for students from July 1, the day government announced vacations for the educational institutions up to the Higher Secondary level.
The move comes despite the clear cut directions from the government to close the schools for summer vacations and wherein the schools have been warned of strict action in case of any default on the part by any private school (s) in observance of the calendar of the summer vacations.
The government earlier announced summer vacations for all government institutions and Private Schools up to Higher Secondary Level falling in Kashmir Division and winter zone of Jammu region from July 1, 2016 to July, 17, 2016.
However some private schools have violated the government directive and are holding the mid-term exams for the students.
“Presentation Convent Higher Secondary school has decided to hold term exams during the summer vacations which is violation of the order issued by the school education department for summer vacations,” students complained to Kashmir Post.
The students said other private schools had also scheduled the term exams from July 1 however the school administration postponed the exams after government announced the vacations for schools. “But the Presentation convent school has decided to conduct the exams on the same date during vacations,” they said.
Another private school, in city outskirts has also violated the government orders and decided to continue the term examination of 12th class students from June 28. “Green Valley Educational Institute management has decided to continue with our term 1st examinations which had started on 28th June 2016. The school didn’t abide by the government orders and informed us that the exams will continue in vacations,” students said.
To top it all, the school education department has itself continued the conduct of class 11 exams during summer vacations thus violating the government order.
The Department is holding Ist Semester exams for all class 11th students across Kashmir which has caused inconvenience to the students. “How can the department single out a particular class of students and force them to appear in the exams in this scorching heat in classrooms,” the students said.
The authorities however downplayed the issue saying the private schools had already announced the term exams prior to the announcement of summer vacations by the department.
“In fact exams had already begun before the announcement of vacations. But we are talking to these schools about how we can do something that is in the larger interest of students,” said Director School Education Kashmir (DSEK) Dr. Shah Faesal.
The official however didn’t mention of any action against such schools as was mentioned in the orders.
Dr. Faesal however admitted the lack of facilities in government schools however claimed that schools will be equipped in future.
The students however have opposed the move saying that they won’t be able to concentrate on studies.
They appealed the school authorities to postpone the exams by seven days.
Schools violate govt order, hold exams during summer vacations
