EDUCATION

Danishwar Hameed  A devastating fire broke out at the Government Boys' Middle School in Samnoo, Kulgam, yesterday evening, completely destroying one of the school's main buildings. The blaze consumed a structure housing three classrooms, leaving the school with only four rooms to accommodate over 70 students. With one of the remaining rooms now serving as an office, the school has just three classrooms available for teaching. This has raised serious concerns about the students' education, as the cramped conditions make it nearly impossible to conduct regular classes for all eight grades. "We were already facing challenges due to limited space, and now, with the destruction of the classrooms, it has become even more difficult. The education of our students is at risk, and we ...

The Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) has issued a circular addressing the increasing incidents of underage driving among students in the Kashmir division. The circular, of which a copy is available with The Kashmiriyat, highlights the grave risks posed to public safety and the frequent involvement of minors in road accidents. In a bid to prevent such occurrences, the DSEK has directed all government and private recognized schools, along with coaching centers, to strictly prohibit students from driving any motor vehicle, including two-wheelers and four-wheelers, to their institutions. The circular mandates heads of institutions to ensure strict compliance by disallowing entry to students arriving at schools or coaching centers in motor vehicles. Parents and guardia...

Meer Irfan The Gujjar-Bakerwal Students Alliance (GBSA) organized a protest at Jammu University today, accusing the institution of violating reservation rules in its recruitment process. The protestors alleged that the university had allowed candidates from other states and union territories to apply for posts reserved for indigenous communities, which they claim breaches Supreme Court rulings, the Jammu Kashmir Reorganisation Act, and specific reservation guidelines for the Union Territory. The GBSA has expressed concerns that Jammu University’s recruitment practices are undermining the reservation system, particularly for Scheduled Tribes (ST) and Scheduled Castes (SC) in Jammu Kashmir. According to GBSA leaders, the university’s actions are in direct violation of constitutional ...

The Directorate of School Education in Kashmir has released the uniform date sheet for summative assessments for classes 1 to 9 across all government and private schools in the Kashmir division. This notification, of which a copy is available with The Kashmiriyat marks the first assessment under the revised academic calendar, which the Jammu Kashmir government recently shifted back to a traditional November session from the previous March schedule. According to the issued schedule, the exams will commence on November 25, 2024, and conclude on December 6, 2024. The assessments will be conducted between 11:00 am and 2:00 pm each day, covering subjects like English, Hindi/Urdu, Kashmiri, Mathematics, Science, Environmental Studies (EVS), and Social Studies, depending on the grade level. ...

The Minister for Education Sakina Itoo today said that students appearing for exams in mid-November will receive relaxation in the syllabus. This decision comes after the academic session shift from March to November, requiring students to take exams earlier than usual. Sakina Itoo cited the winter zone's probability of snowfall as the reason for conducting exams in mid-November, rather than delaying them further. The exams, initially scheduled for March, will now be conducted in mid-November. To address concerns, the Minister assured that the problems of students will be taken into account, and relaxation in the syllabus will be provided to students up to class 9 after consulting stakeholders "This will alleviate the concerns of students and parents in Jammu and Kashmir, ensur...

The Jammu Kashmir government has announced the restoration of the November-December academic session for classes 1 to 9 starting from the 2024-25 academic year. For classes 10 to 12, the academic session will be shifted to February-March beginning in 2025. In an official order issued on Wednesday, Principal Secretary of the School Education Department, Suresh Kumar Gupta, instructed the Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) to conduct the exams for classes 10th to 12th starting in February 2025 and complete them by the end of March 2025. Gupta confirmed the decision in a statement, saying, “Pursuant to the Council of Ministers’ decision, sanction is accorded to the restoration of the previous academic calendar (November-December session) for the Kashmir region and t...

Education Minister Sakina Itoo Tuesday said that government will examine and take action against those private schools that are violating the norms. Speaking with reporters, Sakina said that government has already notified norms and criteria regarding charging of tuition and other charges. She said that private schools in Jammu Kashmir are being regulated by the government and those hiking fee in violation of norms will be taken to task. “If in case any private schools is working against the rules and norms framed by the government, the concerned authorities will accordingly examine and take action against those institutions,” she said—(KNO)

A headmaster at the Government Primary School in Koli Mohallah, located in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district, is facing serious allegations of physically assaulting a student. The incident, reportedly involving a male student, allegedly took place in the classroom on November 4. A formal complaint has been lodged with the Station House Officer (SHO) at Pethkoot and the Chief Education Officer (CEO) of Bandipora, calling for an investigation into the headmaster’s conduct. According to the complaint, the headmaster has a history of similar behavior, regularly resorting to physical assault against students. Parents of the affected student have come forward to share their concerns. Reyaz Lone, the parent of the child, reported that his son described the incident, saying, “The h...

The Jammu Kashmir government has officially scheduled exams for students up to Class 9 to take place in December this year, following recent discussions on the timing of the exams. Education Minister Sakina Itoo confirmed that despite concerns over the winter season, necessary arrangements will be made in examination halls to ensure comfort for students. “Parents and students should not worry about the cold weather. We will make all necessary arrangements in examination halls. Exams were conducted in December in previous years as well,” said Itoo. Additionally, the academic session for students in Classes 10 through 12 will revert to a November-December schedule starting next year, marking a return to the region's traditional cycle for senior students.

The Director of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) has issued a directive to change school timings in the Kashmir division, effective November 1. Under the new schedule, schools within the Srinagar municipal limits will operate from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM for both government and private institutions. For educational establishments located outside these limits and in other regions of the Kashmir province, the timings will be from 10:30 AM to 3:30 PM, the DSEK said. DSEK has instructed all institutions to strictly adhere to these new timings, warning that any deviations will be taken seriously.