The Mehbooba Mufti government has decided to waive Term-2 examinations and promote all students studying in Classes 5 to 9 and 11 in state-run schools and recognised private schools in Kashmir. A School Education Department official confirmed the decision to PTI.
Schools in the Valley have been shut since the unrest began in the region following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen leader Burhan Wani on July 8. 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.
Since the violence began, schools have been set ablaze by arsonists, and there have been endless curfews, protests, and strikes sponsored by separatist organisations. An increase in cross-border firing between India and Pakistan have made things worse. The Jammu District Magistrate on November 1 ordered the closure of all 174 schools in the region near India’s border with Pakistan.
At least 25 schools in the state have been set on fire over the past few months. Burhan Wani’s father Muzaffar Wani has appealed to people to not target educational institutions. Student bodies including the Islami Jamiat-e-Talaba have asked state authorities to “create a conducive atmosphere” before holding annual examinations in the region. Reports also said around 174 schools in border areas of Jammu would reopen on Tuesday.
More than 90 people have been killed in unrest in the Valley following Wani’s killing, and hundreds have sustained grievous injuries during protests in the past three months.
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