Education suffers in Kashmir

The campaign for justice for the eight-year-old victim of Kathua rape and murder case is gaining momentum across Kashmir with students and people holding protest marches, candle lights and rallies across the valley. People are demanding justice for the girl and punishment for those involved in the heinous crime. 

Amidst the increasing protests, the government closed all colleges and schools across Kashmir. Due to the constant closure of educational institutions, the academic session 2018-19 is suffering deeply. Jhangir Ahmed Khawaja, a student at Government Degree College Handwara said, "In past two months, I have attended college for less than 15 days." The situation is worse in North Kashmir where students go to college for not more than two days a week. 

In order to overcome the loss of studies due to "untoward circumstances", the Director, School Education Kashmir has issued fresh instructions to all the Heads of the Institutions to arrange extra classes for the students and ensure the timely completion of syllabus. 

In 2016 due to a five month long unrest, the students of Kashmir suffered a lot. The violence, curfews and shutdowns, strikes have repeatedly disrupted education in the Kashmir region. This has led to a debate on social media with some asking the students to not join the protest and attend colleges and schools.

"Can't they do peaceful sit inside campus & then continue classes," says famous photojournalist, Javid Dar in his Facebook post. Other Facebook post says, " why are we fighting with police, even when the court has not made its decision".

During the protests, many school going children are injured. Last Wednesday, around sixty student received injuries and many other were arrested by police. At least 50 students of the Government Degree College Tral fainted during clashes.

According the police, students are pelting stones, damaging property and created law and order problem in the Valley.