Minister rejects closure rumours, says 51,000 students’ future will be safeguarded
Anantnag, Aug 23 : Minister Sakina Itoo on Saturday said that no one will be allowed to gamble with the future of children and condemned what she termed as “cheap politics” over schools associated with the FET network.
She said that false rumours were being spread about school closures. “People are being misled into thinking schools are shut. I personally visited many institutions this morning. They were open, running smoothly, and children were studying,” she said.
She added that since 2019, FET schools had no proper registration, management committees, or legal framework. To address this gap, the government had arranged temporary oversight until new committees are formed and CID verification is cleared.
“There are nearly 51,000 children whose future is at stake. Until management bodies are in place, the nearest principals will take care of the schools. The children will remain, the teachers will remain, and the structures will remain. Nobody is being displaced,” the minister said, according to KNS.
She also questioned the silence of opposition parties in the past. “In 2002, during their own rule, homes and schools linked to Jamaat-e-Islami were locked, children were dragged, and voices were silenced. Why didn’t they speak up then? Why are they suddenly concerned today?” she asked.
Calling the opposition’s narrative “frustration-driven lies,” she said: “We will not allow anyone to play politics with the future of our children. Neither have we ever done it, nor will we allow others to do it.”(KNS)
