Schools open on Sunday in Kashmir to make up for lost classes

Srinagar, March 17: In an attempt to compensate the loss of academic session due to strikes and curfew, some private schools in Kashmir have decided to keep their institutions open on Sundays.

A large number of students could be seen at bus stops in many parts of the city early this morning despite Sunday being the designated weekly off for the schools.

Among the leading schools which opened today for classes were the several branches of Delhi Public School in Srinagar, Budgam, Baramulla and Anantnag districts of the valley.

The move comes in response to frequent strikes called by the separatists and curfew imposed by the government in the past two weeks.

While authorities have imposed curfew on nine days in March due to various reasons, separatists, who are demanding return of mortal remains of Parliament attack convict Mohammad Afzal Guru, have called for strike on three days during the same period.

While parents of the students are satisfied with the decision taken by the schools, they called on the government as well as the separatists to ensure that education institutes are not affected by the stir.

"Education should be conflict neutral. Both the sides should think of a way out to enable the learning process to continue," Mohammad Yousuf, whose daughter was one of the students attending school today, said. Mansoor Ahmad, another parent, said the students of Kashmir had suffered during the 2010 summer agitation and it should not be repeated this year.

PTI