The J&K government’s bid to reopen high schools for the first time in 24 days failed to improve attendance in schools on Wednesday, as parents remained wary of sending their wards in the absence of public transport and communication lines.
Burnhall, Delhi Public School, Presentation Convent, Tyndale Biscoe and other private schools wore a deserted look in the morning, despite the government announcement to open classes up to Class 10. The staff were present but the school buses failed to pick up students.
“It’s very risky to send my son to school. Who will guarantee his safety? Who will drop him back,” asked T.A. Rather, father of a DPS student.
The government-run high schools, opened in areas in the limits of 81 of the 111 police stations where restrictions were lifted, registered very thin attendance, an official said.
The government started re-opening schools from August 19 but attendance, according to officials, remains “very thin” due to unease on the streets and sporadic stone throwing.
Governor Satyapal Malik said the attendance was “picking up slowly”.
He said it would further improve after communications lines are restored in more areas. “All phone lines will start working in Kupwara and Handwara too. A total of 46 of the 95 exchanges are functional,” Mr. Malik said.
