Jammu & Kashmir Governor NN Vohra on Tuesday met Home Minister Rajnath Singh and discussed with him the situation in the State especially the issue of reopening schools in the unrest-hit Valley. The Home Minister and the Governor discussed how to facilitate reopening of the schools in Kashmir Valley which have remained closed for past 100 days due to violence and strike called by separatists after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani on July 8. As many as 26 schools have been burned down by violent groups supporting terror outfits.
The Centre asked the Mehbooba Mufti Government to check such attempts and make efforts for reopening the schools. In a communication, the Home Ministry conveyed to the Jammu & Kashmir Government to ensure protection of schools, especially those which are vulnerable to attacks, and make all attempts for reopening all educational institutions across the Valley.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also said to be worried that the closure of educational institutions for such a long period is affecting thousands of students and feels that if schools reopen, it would be a great step towards restoring normalcy in Kashmir, officials said.
Sources said the assessment of security forces is that radical forces are trying to force children in rural areas to join religious schools or madrassas and not opt for modern education so that youngsters could be radicalised easily.
The Home Ministry is said to have persuaded the Jammu & Kashmir Government to direct the State Board of School Education to notify over 500 schools to conduct regular examinations.
Examinations for Class X will commence from November 15 and will culminate on November 28 while examinations for Class XII will commence from November 14 and will culminate on December 3.