Zafar Aafaq
Srinagar
A mixed bag of emotions ushered children inside schools across Kashmir after staying at home for more than four months on Saturday. It was a kind of reunion for these kids who have not ventured out much since July 8, 2016.
The opportunity to meet their classmates and friends came after unified Hurriyat leadership gave two days of relaxation in recent ‘protest calendar’.
The decision to open schools during the relaxation period was taken by Private Schools Association Kashmir.
Since early morning children were seen walking towards their respective schools, despite prevailing cold weather conditions in Kashmir. “The joy of joining school after such a long break was clearly visible during morning assemblies,” said Tariq, a private school teacher from Srinagar.
Most of the students donned colourful dresses, as the overall atmosphere was jubilant and relaxed.
“My daughter jumped with joy when I told her that she has to go to school on Saturday,” said mother of 8-year-old Irtika, who lives in Srinagar.
It was an unusual sight to see students, in their neat and clean uniforms, waiting for their school buses at different spots across Kashmir valley.
“It was really emotional to see the way these kids greeted each other after having no contact with each other for such a long time,” said Sheraz, a teacher at a private school in Pampore.
Two days back government put rumours to rest by announcing mass promotion for students of Classes V to IX excluding class X.
However, despite the announcement, schools are abuzz with activity across Kashmir.
