Private Schools to take school buses off roads, citing financial crunch
Suhail Khan
Srinagar, Feb 15 : Amid strict COVID-19 guidelines put in place by the government, universities and colleges re-opened in Kashmir Valley on Monday after remaining closed for about a year due to Coronavirus pandemic.
An official told Kashmir Despatch that Universities and Colleges have been re-opened for offline classes after a gap of more than 10 months.
He said institutions were opened in a phased manner and the SOP’s issued by the authorities are being strictly followed.
The officer said that the institutes witnessed partial attendance even as many parents expressed concern over the safety of their children in view of COVID-19 pandemic.
A Kashmir University official said the classes were started from Monday in line with the necessary guidelines related to Covid-19. He said all Covid-19 related guidelines are being followed. He said that we are hopeful that full attendance will be achieved in coming days after the parents are satisfied with the arrangements which have been put up in colleges.
Pertinent to mention here that all the educational institutions, including schools, colleges and universities, in J&K were closed in March last year in view of COVID-19 outbreak.
Meanwhile, Private Schools Association of Jammu and Kashmir (PSAJK) Monday while welcoming the decision of reopening of colleges and universities said that due to increased financial burden, all the schools have decided to take buses off the roads.
The Association said that the schools have been under financial stress from the last two years as the schools remained closed and transport fee was not collected but on the other hand they continue to maintain transport fleet and paying taxes against zero income. “We have decided not to provide transport facility to students as we are unviable to operate,” they said.
The Association alleged the government of its irresponsiveness regarding the transportation fees charged from students by saying that despite repeated requests and high court directions they have failed to take a final decision,
They said that as the recurring costs and salary of drivers continues, the government has not given any relaxation in taxes, so they have decided not to ply school buses on roads.
While welcoming the decision of government on reopening of schools, Association asked parents to arrange transport facility on their own and added that they assure that every SOP will be followed to keep students safe.
