Irshad Hussain
Like many parts of India, Jammu Kashmir too has been hit hard by the second wave of covid-19, which has impacted all sectors in the valley.
The administration issued circular directing schools, universities, colleges and other institutions to remain closed with an intention to contain the deadly virus. However, the administration has directed the Government and private schools in Kashmir to be present in the school premises to teach the students through the online mode.
The government had issued an order restricting attendance of staff to 50% in all educational institutions including schools, colleges, universities and technical education during closure amid covid-19.
“During the closure of educational institutions (school/colleges /universities/technical education etc.) attendance of staff in person shall be restricted to 50 percent only,” read order by Member Secretary, State Executive Committee.
“All heads of institutions shall devise rosters to ensure (same), as per directions to be issued by School/Higher Education Department in this regard,” it added. “Such staff of educational institutions as are needed by the concerned District Disaster Management Authorities / District Magistrates for official duties shall not be exempted from duties on account of this order,” stated the order, further.
Reportedly, 25-30 teachers tested positive for coronavirus in different districts of the valley, mostly in Anantnag, Kulgam, and Budgam over the past couple of days.
The family members of several teachers speaking to The Kashmiriyat questioned the modus operandi of the administration to contain the virus. “On one side lockdowns are being imposed and one-side markets are being shut, the transporters are being asked to cut down on passengers, and on the other, the teachers are being forced to attend schools, We do not know how many teachers do they meet, how many are traveling in the vehicles with them, this is making us an easy prey to the virus.”
Appealing to the administration to shut down the schools for a small while, the family of one teacher said, “it is a global pandemic, nobody is in the schools, they (teachers) can continue teaching through the online mode from their houses.”
“Teachers are always on their job and have already started delivering online classes once the schools were closed for students. We don’t understand why the teachers are still forced to work from schools,” said a parent of a student.
A local school in Central Kashmir’s Budgam district was closed for five days after one of its contractual lecturers tested positive for Covid-19, officials said.
“Teachers are themselves responsible for such situation. Actually, when govt. announced that schools will remain closed, pseudo teachers commented on social media and via teachers forums that they must join the school through offline mode, and after that, the govt. directed them to join schools. These teachers were showing off that they are pious, and now they got stuck,” a teacher from the Kulgam district of South Kashmir told The Kashmiriyat.