Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Provincial Vice President and In Charge Lal Chowk Constituency Ahsan Pardesi on Sunday expressed dismay over the government’s decision to Shift DIET and JKSCERT offices to Boys Higher Secondary School Sonwar.
Echoing the local sentiment, Pardesi said that a good number of students are currently receiving education in the school and the decision to shift DIET and JKSCERT will disrupt their ongoing academic activities.
“On one hand the government is laying much emphasis on bringing children from poor households to schools but on the other hand it’s shunting hundreds of on-roll students out of school. The decision besides imperiling the future of students will subject them to mental trauma,” he said adding, “the ground of the higher secondary is also used by the local children for various outdoor recreation, and playing activities.”
“The take-over of the ground will snatch a viable open space from the local children, who vent their pent-up feeling by playing various sports on the ground. Sports participation can play an important and positive role in the health and development of children and youth. Perhaps, it’s, for this reason, the government is laying much emphasis on sports activities to curb drug addiction and substance abuse among youth, particularly teens. Where are the local children supposed to go? There is already a dearth of playing fields and grounds in the entire stretch from Batwara to Sonwar. It goes without saying that the decision will have an adverse effect on the well-being of local kids,” he said.
He impressed upon the government to roll back the decision and provide an alternative site to the concerned offices in the city suburbs.
