Friday, March 29News and updates from Kashmir

EDUCATION

Education woes: 150 government schools in south Kashmir operate from rented spaces

Education woes: 150 government schools in south Kashmir operate from rented spaces

EDUCATION
One hundred and fifty (150) government Schools in the four district of south Kashmir operate from rented spaces, official figures revealed. Official figures, quoted by local news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO), suggest that there are total 3622 schools in the entire South Kashmir range in which Anantnag district holds the highest number of schools in operation in Southern districts of Anantnag, Kulgam, Pulwama and Shopian. “There are 1537 government schools in Anantnag district, 773 in Kulgam, 892 in Pulwama, and 520 in the Shopian district,” figures state, adding that “Out of the total 3622 schools in South Kashmir, 150 schools are still operating in rented accommodations. Fourteen (14) schools are in Shopian, 79 in Anantnag district, 20 in Kulgam and 35 in the Pulwama district....
Jamia Millia Islamia: Two J-K students expelled from hostel over firecracker incident after India’s world cup loss

Jamia Millia Islamia: Two J-K students expelled from hostel over firecracker incident after India’s world cup loss

EDUCATION
Two students from Jammu Kashmir have been expelled from the University hostel at Jamia Millia Islamia University in New Delhi, following the loss of India with Australia in the final match of Men's World Cup 2023. A group of Kashmiri students spoke to The Kashmiriyat and said that some firecrackers were heard in the Jauhar hall following India's loss to the world cup final game. The firecrackers triggered anger among a group of students who were upset over India's loss at the hands of Australia by seven wickets in the final at Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Before the loss, a verbal brawl had erupted between two groups of students, one supporting the Indian team and the other supporting Australia, however, the timely intervention of some senior students pacified the situation, they told The ...
Winter vacation announced for schools in Kashmir

Winter vacation announced for schools in Kashmir

EDUCATION
The Jammu Kashmir administration has announced winter vacation for schools in the Kashmir valley amid the growing cold. In a notification, the Jammu Kashmir admin announced that upto class 8th, the schools will remain shut from 28 November, 2023 till late February. For classes upto 12th, the administration has announced winter vacations from 11th December, 2023. As per the order, the schools will remain shut till 29th February.
KU’s Kupwara campus fails to attract students

KU’s Kupwara campus fails to attract students

EDUCATION, REGIONAL
The Kashmir University's satellite campus in remote Kupwara district has failed to attract students for three courses which were started from this academic session, rendering the facility virtually a non-starter more than a decade after its sanctioning. According to sources privy to admissions, the MSc programme in Energy Studies has drawn just one student out of 30 seats allocated for it, while the MSc programme in Physics has drawn six students out of the 30 allocated seats. These two courses were started by the University after pleading before the University Council headed by LG that these were "futuristic" and "market-driven" as per the Varsity's assessment, the sources told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO). The poor response to the two courses belies the University...
Current weather ‘pleasant to play, attend schools’, Says  DSEK

Current weather ‘pleasant to play, attend schools’, Says DSEK

EDUCATION
With the medical experts suggesting not to vent out in foggy weather, the Director of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) on the contrary says that the ‘weather is pleasant’ for attending the school. For the past several days, Kashmir has been reeling under intense cold and foggy weather conditions and doctors have suggested taking precautions against the possible ill effects of it. However, according to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), DSEK Thursday said, “The Government is aware of the matter and was sensitive of the situation too. We will make an announcement very soon.” “However, I want to tell you that the weather is very pleasant. Look at children playing the cricket. Had there been that much of a cold, you wouldn't have seen them playing and clapping during the matc...
‘Nearly 60 percent colleges of J-K lack NAAC accreditation’

‘Nearly 60 percent colleges of J-K lack NAAC accreditation’

EDUCATION
In Jammu Kashmir, nearly ‘60 percent’ of colleges functioning in the region are yet to have NAAC accreditation—raising a question on curriculum coverage and teaching-learning processes in higher education institutions. The official document available with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) reads, “Out of 147 colleges, presently 59 colleges have already been granted National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) accreditation.” The Kashmir university was awarded with 48th rank and Jammu university with 66th rank among the top 100 universities in the country as per India rankings 2021 university MoE for Gol. Stating the quality assurance, the official documents read that the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) need to get accredited by NAAC for evaluating conformity ...
Tough time for school-going children as dense fog envelops Kashmir in morning hours

Tough time for school-going children as dense fog envelops Kashmir in morning hours

EDUCATION
With the onset of winter, Fatima (Name Changed)—a 2nd standard student wakes up at 7Am to get ready and to ensure that she won’t miss her school bus. However, once Fatima leaves from home for school, she is greeted by a dense fog which not only affects the arrival of her bus but feels prone to getting ill with the bone chilled weather. Speaking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Fatima narrated the circumstances she encountered while venturing out to catch her school bus and reach school on time. “It is very hard to stand out there in the misty fog, moreover the irony doesn’t end up in waiting for the bus, we sometimes get stuck on a road because of low visibility,” She said. Fatima further says that waking up in early morning and stepping out for school amid dense...
As seats remain vacant, Kashmir University to ‘discuss’ poor response to newly-introduced courses

As seats remain vacant, Kashmir University to ‘discuss’ poor response to newly-introduced courses

EDUCATION
The Kashmir University (KU) authorities have called a meeting of academics to discuss "poor response" to newly-introduced courses in the main and satellite campuses. As per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the meeting, to be chaired by Dean Academic Affairs on November 13, will specifically deliberate upon low student response to Integrated B.Sc-MSc Botany which was introduced at North Campus, Baramulla, from this academic session. It is also likely to discuss poor response to Integrated BA-MA in Arabic introduced in Kupwara Campus. "It is a cause of concern that not many students turned up to take admission in the integrated programme despite being started with much fanfare," said sources at North Campus, adding that less than 10 students have taken admission in the BSc-MSc ...
New school timing announced in Kashmir from Nov 01

New school timing announced in Kashmir from Nov 01

EDUCATION
The Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) Monday ordered change in school timing in all government and private schools from November-01. According the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), DSEK in a communique has said that schools falling within Sringar municipality limits shall function from 10AM to 3PM. However, the department has also ordered that the schools falling outside municipality limits of Srinagar district and other areas of Kashmir division shall function from 10:30 AM to 3:30 PM—(KNO)
‘Where are these seats going’: Demanding counselling, BSC Nursing students protest in Srinagar

‘Where are these seats going’: Demanding counselling, BSC Nursing students protest in Srinagar

EDUCATION
Students of BSC nursing gathered at Srinagar’s press enclave today to protest against the delay in counselling by BOPEE. The students, holding placards in their hands, raised slogans against the administration, demanding justice. While speaking to the media, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the aggrieved students said that JK BOPEE is not conducting their second round of counselling. “We are uncertain why BOPEE is not conducting the counseling and why they don't allow access to private or government colleges.” “The BOPEE authorities compelled us to protest today, as the selection list that was released shows that some of us were selected, while others didn't secure a spot in colleges in the first round of counselling,” said one of the students. He said the p...