Srinagar, Apr 22: In a bid to curb continued student protests here, the Minister for Education Syed Muhammad Altaf Bukhari on Sunday ordered the closure of all private tuition centres in Kashmir Valley for 90 days.
He made the announcement while chairing a meeting of chief education officers, zonal education officers and principals of higher secondary schools here.
An official press release issued in this regard however said the order shall have no bearing on coaching centres which provide coaching for professional courses for the students who have already passed 12th class examination.
“Report should go to the concerned district administration as well. All coaching centres will remain closed for next 90 days,” the minister said.
He also asked the Director School Education Kashmir to submit list of teachers, masters and lecturers who are working in private coaching centres, and asked the school authorities to conduct a parent-teacher meeting once every week.
The decision has been taken in view of widespread student protests over the horrific gangrape-and-murder of an eight-year-old nomadic girl in Kathua.
While directing the principals to be in regular touch with respective CEOs, Bukhari asked them to report the problem, if any, to the concerned CEO so that an appropriate decision can be taken, immediately.
The meeting was attended by Secretary School Education, Farooq Ahmad Shah, Director School Education Kashmir Dr G N Itoo, Joint Directors of School Education, CEOs of various districts of Kashmir and Principals of Higher Secondary Schools.
Seeking feedback from the heads of educational institutes, Bukhari emphasized that it is a moral as well as an ethical duty of educational heads to ensure that they treat students in their respective institutions as their own children.
Emphasizing the need for student counseling, the Minister said as academicians it is important to ensure the safety and better future of students. He said proper counseling could surely help the students towards a better future.
While urging the students to concentrate on their studies, Bukhari sought cooperation from every section of the society to ensure disruption-free academic activities in the Valley. He once again appealed the students to join their schools and colleges and resume their class-work.
