Monday, March 3News and updates from Kashmir

EDUCATION

Kashmiri student Umar Masoodi invited to European Youth Event 2025 in France

Kashmiri student Umar Masoodi invited to European Youth Event 2025 in France

EDUCATION
Umar Masoodi, a law student from the University of Kashmir, has been invited by the European Union to participate in the European Youth Event (EYE2025) to be held on June 13-14, 2025, in Strasbourg, France. The event, organized every two years, brings together young leaders from across the world to discuss key global issues including democracy, human rights, climate action, and innovation. Participants will engage with Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), experts, activists, and decision-makers. Earlier in 2024, Masoodi attended the Lucerne Academy Program at the University of Lucerne in Switzerland. The official opening of EYE2025 will be attended by top representatives of the European Parliament and the City of Strasbourg.

JKBOSE postpone exams scheduled for March-01, 03 in hard zones

EDUCATION
Following the bad weather conditions, JKBOSE Friday postponed all exams of 10th to 12th classes scheduled on March-01 and March-03 in hard zones. JKBOSE in a order said, “In view of inclement weather, the examinations for classes 10th, 11th and 12th scheduled to be held on 01-03-2025 and 03-03-2025 as per date sheet already issued, are hereby postponed and rescheduled." The board said that the examinations that were earlier scheduled to be held on March-01 for classes 10th and 11th will be held on March-25. In case of 12th standard, the examinations that were scheduled to be held on March-01 will be held on March-24. JKBOSE in the meantime further said that the time and venue of the examinations will remain unchanged—(KNO)

Winter vacation extended, Schools in Kashmir to reopen on March 7

EDUCATION
Winter vacations in Kashmir have been extended, and schools will now reopen on March 7, 2025, the government announced on Wednesday. The schools had closed for the winter break in December 2024 and were initially scheduled to reopen on March 01. However, the decision to extend the break was taken due to inclement weather and difficulties faced by students living in far-flung areas. Education Minister Sakina Itoo, confirming the extension, said that many students from upper reaches and those stuck in Jammu were unable to return due to weather disruptions. She emphasized that the education system should be inclusive and not favor only those with better access. The extension comes as parts of Kashmir continue to witness cold weather and snowfall, making travel difficult for stu...

‘Playing with our future’: JKBOSE fails to rectify ‘out of syllabus’ errors

EDUCATION
Danishwar Hameed Students in Jammu Kashmir have once again voiced their anger against the Jammu Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) after Class 11 students in hard zone areas encountered out-of-syllabus questions in their Mathematics exam. This comes just two days after students in soft zones faced the same issue in their Mathematics paper. Students in hard zones were left frustrated as they struggled with questions from topics that had been officially removed following syllabus rationalization. “We studied according to the prescribed syllabus, yet the Board keeps making the same mistakes. This isn’t just an error; it’s negligence that affects our results,” said a student. Teachers supervising the exam confirmed that the paper included questions from the deleted syllabus. “...

Three schools from Kashmir and Ladakh win Wipro Earthian Awards

EDUCATION
Three schools from Kashmir and Ladakh were recognized at the 14th Wipro Earthian Awards 2024, held at Azim Premji University, Bengaluru. Organized by Wipro Limited, the awards celebrate educational institutions promoting sustainability education. Government Boys Higher Secondary School, Manigam, was awarded for its project on solid waste management, highlighting the shift from linear disposal methods to circular recycling and reuse. Lamdon School (Tsang Chu), Ladakh, focused on water management challenges in the cold desert, while Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Leh, examined climate change awareness and the role of ice stupas in conserving glacial water. The awards were presented by Anurag Behar, CEO of the Azim Premji Foundation, and Narayan P.S., Global Head of Sustainability and Soci...

KU reschedules UG 1st semester exam

EDUCATION
University of Kashmir has announced rescheduling of UG 1st Semester (Batch 2024) examination for Regular and Fresh Private Candidates. (Batch 2022-2023) The exam, originally set for February 26, 2025, as per a varsity communique, according to Kashmir Bulletin, has been postponed and will now be conducted on March 3, 2025. The time and venue for the examination will remain unchanged, said the communique. (KB)

JKAS, AFCAT exam conflict: ‘Possible solutions being explored,’ says Sakina Masood

EDUCATION
Education Minister Sakina Masood has assured that the government is reviewing the scheduling conflict between the Jammu Kashmir Administrative Services (JKAS) prelims and the Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT), both set for February 23. "We will examine it and explore possible solutions," she said while addressing the media after a district review meeting in Kulgam. Masood also acknowledged concerns regarding ongoing board exams, where some students faced difficulties due to clerical errors in their documentation. "Some students were left behind due to mistakes made by a principal or a clerk. Immediate steps were taken to ensure they appear for exams so that their year-long effort does not go in vain," she added. Aspirants who have applied for both JKAS and AFCAT have urge...

Jamia’s defiant stand: Students boycott classes to defend academic freedom

EDUCATION
Prerna Bhat The movement began earlier that week when student groups circulated posters calling for solidarity with those detained by university authorities. These simple yet powerful posters, which appeared on social media on February 14, urged students to unite in protest. The demonstration opposed the harsh treatment of students involved in recent protests, particularly those who had been publicly shamed and disciplined. Among them were two PhD scholars who participated in the December 2024 protest marking the anniversary of the anti-CAA movement. The administration’s decision to issue show-cause notices to them and others was widely seen as an attempt to suppress dissent. Punitive measures, such as suspensions and fines, were viewed as an effort to instill fear and silence studen...

KU Postpones Exams Scheduled for February 26

EDUCATION
Srinagar, Feb 19 (JKNS): The University of Kashmir has postponed all exams scheduled for February 26 due to the Maha Shivratri holiday. As per an official notification issued by Assistant Controller of Examinations (Conduct) KU, stated that all exams scheduled on 26th February satnds postponed. As per a notification a copy of which lies with news agency JKNS reads, In view of the above Holiday on account of Maha Shiv Ratri on 26/02/2025. It is notified for the information of all the concerned candidates that the University Examination Scheduled for the said date stands Postponed. It further reads, Fresh dates for the conduct of Postponed Papers shall be notified separately. (JKNS) Srinagar, Feb 19 (JKNS): The University of Kashmir has postponed all exams scheduled for February ...

Amid blame game of ‘BOSE is wrong’ or ‘School is wrong,’ Student loses academic year

EDUCATION
Outside her exam center in Nowhatta Srinagar, waiting for permission to sit for her exams, tears flooded Toiba Yaqoob’s eyes. A Class 10 student, she had arrived to give her first paper in her matriculation exams after months of preparation, only to be turned away. A mistake on her roll number slip, caused by the school she was registered with typing the wrong name, shattered her dreams and hopes. As per details collected by the news agency—JKNS, Toiba Yaqoob, a Class 10 student of Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Khanyar, was unable to sit for her annual board examinations due to an error on her roll number slip. The slip she received carried the name “Toiba Fayaz” instead of her actual name. “The school later attributed the mistake to a technical error, but it ultima...