As per updates, After a long time schools in Jammu and Kashmir reopened for classes 10 and 12 students. Earlier, on 5th September, Jammu and Kashmir Government ordered the reopening of schools for students of Class 12 and 10 and staff with 50 per cent capacity. The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Chief Secretary A K Mehta. It was also decided to retain most of the COVID-19 containment guidelines, including night curfew. Also, as per the government official, Consent shall be obtained from the parents of all students who are willing to attend the school. The school premises should be thoroughly sanitised, proper screening regarding vaccination should be done on the school gate.”
As per media reports, a student of Government Girls Higher Secondary School in Kothibagh, Srinagar, Bushra said, “I am feeling very happy at the resumption of classes. Teachers were doing a lot of effort in online classes, but we were not comfortable. Physical classes are good because we can interact with teachers whenever we want.” Also, teacher of the English Faculty in the same school, Shabina Taj said, “We are getting very good responses from students. All the students are very happy about physical classes. Students are even bringing their queries to discuss with us. Also, staff and students, both are following the SOPs issued by government.”
The Deputy Commissioners can allow in-person classes for students of the 10th standard following all protocols. “The schools, except for relaxations as provided for students of 12th and 10th classes, shall continue to remain closed for on-site/in-person teaching,” the order said. As per some of the orders the state government, “If any student or teacher or other school staff shows symptoms of cough, cold, or fever, they will not be allowed to enter the school.
The head of the school must ensure that the guidelines related to social distancing and Covid protocols are strictly followed.” Earlier, in a series of measures aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19, the Jammu and Kashmir administration on 18th April had ordered the closure of all educational institutions, including universities and colleges, till further orders.
J-K Board of School Education Department (JKBOSE) has started a bi-annual board exam of Class 12 students in the winter zone. However, all the students and invigilators were subjected to Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) here before being allowed entry into the examination centres. While the Class 12 examination is scheduled to end on 22nd September, the matriculation examination of private students will conclude a day earlier. The schools in snow-bound areas of Kashmir and parts of Jammu fall in the category of winter zone, while the rest of the areas falling in the Jammu province are covered under the summer zone.