Five-month long unrest during summer 2016 caused much damage and harm to almost all aspects of life in Kashmir. But it was more palpable in the case of education sector and we can say that this sector suffered the most. Firstly, because the conditions were not conducive to running classes in normal way, the precious time of students was wasted. However, another major damage was in the shape of torching of school buildings partially or fully mostly in South Kashmir. No fewer than 32 school buildings were torched. It was expected that after last year’s phase was over, things might improve and this summer students would continue their studies normally. But this appears somewhat murky. During the elections in April some more schools were torched. The purpose of these criminal activities is firstly to give media hype to the sedition movement on wider level and secondly to stonewall Kashmiri students especially of rural areas of benefiting from secular education in Government schools. Since rebuilding of the schools is a long affair the arsonists are under the impression that the boys will be forced to join Jamaat-i Islami schools where they are brainwashed and imparted radicalism.
This is a moment of deep introspection for the parents of these school going children to understand what harm is being done to their children and how they are being deprived of modern scientific education. This means that the door on modern scientific and technological education is closed on these boys and they are to come up as only preachers of orthodoxy and conservatism. Will that help Kashmir change its destiny? Will these children have the skills and ability and vision to bring about big change in the life and economy of Kashmir? The elders have to pause and ponder over this question. Those who give calls for hartals and stone pelting have sent their children to different parts of the country or foreign countries to receive best education so that they become successful career builders. The wards of poorer people are destined to remain among the class of hewers of wood and drawers of water.
Parents who cannot defend the educational career of their children and who compromise with their career cannot expect any service or obedience from them when they grow and begin to understand how they spoiled their career.
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