J-K govt defers decision to re-open schools in mid-June

Dinesh Manhotra
Tribune News Service
Jammu, June 3

Two days after issuing a circular to open schools in mid-June, the Jammu and Kashmir government on Wednesday deferred its decision following strong reaction from civil society and parents.

“Advisor to Lt Gov KK Sharma has said that J&K Government has not taken any decision to open schools on 15.6.2020. However instructions have been issued to schools to ensure sanitisation of school premises in view of COVID-19”, official handle of the government tweeted this evening.

The Education Department in its order issued on June 1, clearly mentioned that “government intends to re-open schools in mid- June”.

Earlier in the afternoon, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh asked higher-ups of the UT administration to defer this decision.

“Have spoken to Jammu and Kashmir UT Government and suggested that decisions regarding, vehicle registration tax and reopening of schools may be deferred,” the Union minister tweeted.

Similarly, J&K Government in its order issued on Monday had intended to open schools from mid-June. All social groups and political parties have opposed this decision of the government.

Parents have already warned the authorities against taking such unwise decision before taking them into confidence.

Ex-chairperson of State Women and Child Right Commission, Vasundra Pathak Masoodi, has termed this action “an abject contravention and violation of the guidelines issued by Union Home Ministry under National Disaster Act”.