Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Sept 22: The Private Schools Association of Jammu and Kashmir (PSAJK) today voiced concern over the sealing of a school in north Kashmir’s Pattan, asserting that the closure has placed an undue burden on students.
The association raised questions about the hasty actions taken by “over-zealous” officials without awaiting directives from the High Court.
In a statement issued here, the PSAJK appealed the Government to address the matter of the sealed Sheikh ul Alam Model High School in Andergam Pattan on humanitarian grounds and to promptly reopen the school.
The association emphasized that the school, classified under the economy category, has been operational for the past three decades.
It was accused of operating on state land and subsequently sealed by officials who, as per the PSAJK, acted without awaiting directions from the High Court.
The PSAJK pointed out that the issue of state land occupied by schools is already sub-judice.
Additionally, they highlighted that the Supreme Court has previously stated that “if educational institutes or hospitals are situated on state land, the Government should exercise restraint and avoid sealing them.”
G N Var, president of the PSAJK, lamented the current conditions faced by students, who are forced to sit on mats on the ground and study in harsh sunlight or even in the rain.
“They have to study amidst piles of garbage and heavy dust. Mothers have to fetch water bottles throughout the day. The students often fall ill, and there is no privacy for students or teachers,” he added
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