In past month, J&K government has shut down schools across Kashmir for 17 days, often citing ‘anticipated student protests’ as reason for taking the ‘precautionary measure’ of locking down the institutions.
In the past 34 days, the students in schools and various colleges have been able to attend only 50 percent classes given the frequent closure of the schools by the government.
In the beginning the divisional administration ordered for closure of all the universities, colleges and Higher Secondary Schools (HSS) in Kashmir on April 18 “as a precautionary measure” to avoid student protests.
Campuses across Kashmir had erupted on April 17 against police action on students at Government Degree College Pulwama on April 15 wherein more than 50 students sustained injuries.
The widespread protests forced the government to extend the closure of schools and colleges in a bid to kill the student anger.
However there was no let up in the student protests, prompting authorities to extend the suspension of class work in colleges while as in south Kashmir’s Shopian district the administration ordered for closure of all Higher Secondary Schools (HSS) and colleges on April 19.
However, there was no let up in the protests as the students erupted in protests in various parts of Kashmir that prompted the divisional administration to suspend the teaching work in all colleges for next two days – April 20 and April 21 “as a precautionary measure.”
“Teaching work in all colleges of Kashmir division shall remain suspended on April 20 and 21, 2017, as a precautionary measure,” said an order issued by Divisional Commissioner Kashmir.
While the class work remained suspended for two days, the students from government HSSs erupted in protests following which administration ordered for suspension of class work in HSSs till April 21 “to avoid student protests.”
Government was seen running short of idea given its frequent orders for closure of educational institutes and suspension of class work. However the student anger refused to die down despite the suspension of class work.
Seeing no let up in protests, divisional administration suspended work in all colleges for April 22.
The government move to prefer suspension of class work in schools and colleges was contrary to the decisions taken by the same government during the 2016 unrest, when, in the midst of mass uprising, the government was “focused on keeping the educational institutions open.” However, this year when the situation is far more peaceful as compared to 2016 unrest, now the government is issuing orders for closure of campuses every now and then.
On April 24, the government decided to keep all educational institutions open across Kashmir. The move somehow proved successful as most of the educational institutions functioned smoothly but protests erupted in SP HSS Srinagar which later spread to city centre Lal Chowk.
The move prompted the education minister to break his silence who said he was ready to talk to the students and listen to their grievances. Later the class work in maximum number of schools was conducted peacefully for some time.
However on May 8 – the day of opening of Durbar offices in Srinagar – witnessed a fresh spell of student protests with authorities suspending class work in colleges and HSSs of Kupwara and Budgam.
As there was a spike in student protests, the education minister opened up communication channels to reach out to the students and address their grievances. Following the move, the class work remained peaceful for five days.
In the next week government again ordered suspension of class work in SP HSS Srinagar from May 15 to May 17 following the student protests. Later, the suspension of class work was extended in SP HSS and MP HSS Srinagar from May 18 to 20.
Govt locked down schools for 17 days during last 34 working days
