Schools reopen in Kashmir after 8 months

Almost 6 months of the academic session were lost due to the unrest following Burhan's killing

Schools reopened in Kashmir on Wednesday after about eight months, which included the period of unrest last summer triggered by the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani.

Despite rainfall which brought down the temperature, students made their way to schools to resume the learning process which was severely affected during the last academic session.

The students were happy to reunite with their classmates after so long and wished that there are no further disruptions to their studies.

Almost six months of the last academic session were lost due to the unrest that began on July 8 following Burhan's killing in an encounter with security forces.

In view of the prolonged unrest, the state government had announced mass promotion for all students to the next level except for 10th and 12th standard students who appeared in the annual Board examinations in November last year.

Subsequently, schools were closed for winter break from December 17 for classes up to 8th standard and from December 24 for classes from 9th to 12th standard.

"The schools have reopened as per schedule today. We hope that the situation in the Valley remains peaceful now, so that the students' valuable academic time is not lost again," an official of the Education Department said.

However, schools in some of the snow-bound areas of north Kashmir including Gurez, Machhil, Tangdhar and Keran will remain closed till March 12 in view of apprehensions of avalanches and landslides, the official said.

The schools in these areas will reopen on March 13.