Edu institutions reopen after winter vacation, summer unrest in Kashmir

Srinagar, Mar 1: All the educational institutions reopened after winter vacations in the Kashmir valley, where students were given mass promotion from 1st to 11th standard, barring 10th class, last year in view of the six month summer unrest. However, the winter vacation has been extended in snow-bound areas of north Kashmir, including border towns of Gurez, Machhil, Tangdhar and Keran till March 12. Despite fresh rain in the morning and snowfall on upper reaches, including famed ski resort of Gulmarg, students from lower classes to Higher Secondary, were seen marching towards their respective schools in colourful uniforms and holding water bottles and bags. City routes also witness heavy rush of school buses besides other vehicles, including three-wheelers, carrying students, a scene which was missing since December 17, last year, when authorities announced winter break upto class eighth standard. However, winter vacation for class 9th to 12th started from December 24. Notably, all educational institutions, including colleges and universities, remained closed during six unrest months from July 9, a day after Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) commander Burhan Wani and two other militants were killed in an encounter in Anantnag, evoking valley wide protests. However, later educational institutions were functioning on Saturday and Sunday after separatists were announcing relaxation in strike every week. The authorities later announced mass promotion to compensate the students who could not attend their classes during unrest. However, classes tenth and 12th Board of School Education (BOSE) examinations were conducted though students were given choice and some relief in syllabus. Students, who were not ready to appear in the examinations in November-December last year, were given a choice to appear in March examinations.