Academic Disaster: Death of DAV School, Jawahar Nagar, Srinagar

Srinagar, May 13 (KMW): Heritage and its symbols are important aspect of human civilization and only those nations progress who respect their civilizations. But here in Kashmir every aspect of its heritage is dying. Even decades old schools are made to die on account of corporate greed, lackluster approach by the government and inefficient managing trusts.
DAV School, Jawahar Nagar, Srinagar , Kashmir bears testimony to this veracity as it has recently been totally made non-functional with last remaining students given Discharge certificates and teachers even not paid salaries since 34 months.
As a matter of fact, The DAV Institute has enjoyed rich legacy which was once one of the prime educational institutes in Kashmir and was run on the name of Swami Deanna Saraswati, the founder of Arya Samaj – a great social reformer and visionary who revolutionized the Hindu Samaj and launched a crusade against the social evils prevalent in the society including Sati and fought for remarriage of widows.
Pertinently, The first of its kind School was founded by Arya Samaj in Kashmir in 1936The foundation of new School at Jawahar Nagar was laid by ex Principal Pt Radha Krishan Ganjoo and other leading educationists of that time in 1971. These schools were once the leading educational institutions of Kashmir in terms of excellence and merites.
But when in 1984 the rift between Pujabi and Kashmiri Pundits trustees managing the schools occurred the battle was taken over to courts and functioning began to take a serious hit. Turmoil of 1990s which witnessed Pandit exodus had also its own ramification on the DAV School, Jawahar Nagar, Srinagar, but the local kashmiri teachers out of their exemplary work and dedication kept the school alive .In between the trustees continued their legal battle and at one stage teachers were not paid for years together their salaries as a result once via court direction a fixed deposit of school earnings was broken to pay teachers their salaries.
Few years back out of the three schools left one was sold to a corporate house at price of crores and teachers were kept unaware about sale at that time the trustees joined hands for money. While the other school of this chain is under Army the DAV School, Jawahar Nagar, Srinagar was also closed few months back by Ganjoo family trust manning the school citing financial problems and lack of government support.
According to teachers the greed, selfish nature of Ganjoo Family Trust, Mutual rivalries between trustees coupled with government indifference have lead to death of historical DAV School, Jawahar Nagar, Srinagar. For teachers like Masooda and Shahida who have served in school for over 30 years the nonpayment of salaries since 34 months and virtual death of DAV School, Jawahar Nagar, Srinagar entails an emotional trauma.
Despite DAV School, Jawahar Nagar, Srinagar at once leading entire state in academic excellence and producing noted personalities like Doctor Sameer Kaul, Ali Mohmmmad Sagar and scores of officers has ben left now high and dry.
Shagfuta Haqani, Principal DAV School, Jawahar Nagar, Srinagar states – “ We fear with the selfish nature of trust managing DAV School, Jawahar Nagar, Srinagar and no considerate attitude shown y the government it could be all over soon. We demand handling of this school by the government to save it from being sold to corporate houses. We have not been paid salaries since 34 months and we should not let this great institution to go to waste.New Government should take measures to sae this precious educational treasure in form of DAV School Jawahar Nagar.”
From once having roll of over 3000 students and 60 staff members at the time of recent orders y trustees to close it down it had just 7 students left and 12 teachers and staff members.