Kashmir Government Orders Mass Promotion Of All School Students In Classes 5 To 9 And Class 11

Kashmir Government Orders Mass Promotion Of School Students

Giving a much-needed breather to over nine lakhs students, the Mehbooba Mufti government of Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday decided to grant mass promotions up to Class 9 and for Class 11 because of the four-month agitation in the Valley. They also ordered the continuation of “No-Detention” policy for the current academic session. They also waived off term-2 examinations for the current academic session. The new academic session will start immediately.

“All the students from Classes 5 to 9 and Class 11 from all the government schools and recognized private schools of Kashmir valley shall be elevated to the next level with immediate effect,” an official of the School Education Department said.

At least 10.03 lakh students (5.29 lakh boys and 4.74 lakh girls) are enrolled with the Directorate of School Education. Around 1.05 lakh students of Class 10 and Class 12 are sitting for the annual examination. The board examinations began on November 14 for Class 10 and November 15 for Class 12 students. The government has decided to conduct another set of board examinations in March 2017 for those who are unable to take the tests in November. The government is also planning to hold “remedial classes” during the winter to compensate for the loss of class hours.

Schools in Kashmir went on a two-week summer holiday on July 1. However, they have remained shut since the unrest began in the region following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen leader Burhan Wani on July 8.

The schools have borne the brunt of the tension with arsonists setting at least 25 school buildings ablaze. The situation worsened further after the cross-border firing between India and Pakistan. The Jammu District Magistrate on November 1 ordered the closure of all 174 schools in the region near India’s border with Pakistan.

The unrest in the Valley has left over 90 people dead and thousands injured. Hundreds of people, including students were booked under Public Safety Act (PSA) for participating in the protests.

As situation slowly normalizes in Kashmir, the Northern Railways partially resumed its service on Wednesday.

The Logical Indian applauds the government’s decision to promote the students. This step will give relief to the students and will also incentivise them to stay in school, thereby reducing the number of dropouts.