Under flak, Govt seeks suggestions on winter schooling

An official spokesman in statement to said that minister for Education, Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed has specifically pointed out that the decision with regard to continuation of winter schools from Class 9th to 12th was taken in sequel to colossal losses faced by the student community in Kashmir valley as a result of recent four months turmoil.

The minister said that all the schools whether government or private could not impart full education and government had to resort to slashing of the syllabus and conducting examination with maximum optional questions as summer syllabus could not be completed.

In such circumstances, he said, a conscious decision was taken to impart the education and complete the syllabus in government as well as private schools during winter months as an unprecedented measure.

The Minister has sought suggestions from general public, citizens, media persons and educationists to point out the loopholes, if any, in continuation of winter schooling.

He said that schools have been already directed to make necessary heating arrangements out of local funds and maintenance of school schemes. Rs 25000 have already been kept at the disposal of Principals of High and Higher Secondary schools for face-lifting of the school and repairs of window panes wherever necessary.

The Minister said we are open to all kinds of suggestions so that neither education of the children suffers nor their health is affected nor they face any inconvenience while attending these winter schools. He appeals parents to send their wards to these winter schools so that they function effectively.

The Minister said that it has been found that private coaching centres are charging heavy fee to the students and poor majority of the students are not able to attend such private coaching centres, therefore government has kept winter schooling as a facility to the such students.