SRINAGAR: Amidst closure of all educational institutions in the Valley since last four months due to ongoing unrest, the private schools in a major decision have decided to promote students up to class 9th and 11th without conducting their examinations.
"As of now, private schools in Kashmir have decided to give provisional promotion to all classes up to Class 9 and class 11th till a final decision is taken," said G N Var President Private Schools Association Kashmir.
He said the decision was taken in a joint meeting of executive members of Private Schools Association and Coaching Centres Association held in Srinagar today.
"The provisional promotion will give an immediate relief to lakhs of students and their parents, who are living in a state of a dilemma due to the ongoing turmoil in the Valley,” said Var.
He said the students are living under severe stress and the provisional promotion will provide them a direction to move forward. "Now the new syllabus and books will be issued and students will prepare for new session”.
According to War, schools will open during relaxation period in shutdown announced by the separatist leaders to start new admissions and issue assignments to the student and do other academic work.
A top official of J&K Education Department said they would take a call whether the decision taken by private schools is legal.
All the educational institutions including schools and colleges in the Valley have remained closed for last more than four months due to ongoing unrest triggered by the killing of 21-year-old Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces in South Kashmir’s Kokernag area on July 8.
At least 92 people have been killed and more than 9000 youth including minors, teenagers, and youth up to the age of 25 injured in security forces action in last four months of unrest in the Valley. Over 8000 people including youth have been arrested by the security forces.
The students were demanding postponement and deferment of the exams. However, the government has decided to conduct the 10th and 12th class examinations of students in Valley with 50% syllabus cut from next week.
At least 126593 students of class 10th and 12th have been given choice by the government either to appear in exams next week with 50% syllabus cut or appear in March 2017 with 100 % syllabus.
According to J&K Board officials, of the total 126593 students eligible to appear in 10th and 12th class exams, 105719 students have enrolled for appearing in exams.
“So far 55392 students of class 10th and 50327 students of class 12th have enrolled for the exams”.
J&K’s Special DGP Coordination, Law & order, Dr S P Vaid said foolproof security and transport plans would be put in place for smooth conduct of exams”.
“Besides, extra care needs to be taken for the examination centers categorized as sensitive and of far-flung areas,” he said.