SRINAGAR: While private schools may receive payments or compensation from concerned departments for providing infrastructure and facilities for conducting board and recruitment examinations, an important question remains unanswered: What about the students whose regular academic activities are disrupted because their school premises are being used as examination centres?
Parents across Kashmir are raising concerns over the loss of valuable classroom teaching hours due to ongoing board examinations and JKSSB examinations, with students in several private schools facing interruptions in their regular academic schedules.
The issue is not merely about missed lessons. Parents spend thousands of rupees every month on their children’s education, including school fees, tuition charges, transportation and other academic expenses. Even when regular classes remain suspended, these financial commitments continue.
Parents argue that when schools receive payments from concerned departments for examination-related arrangements, there should also be a mechanism to address the academic and financial losses suffered by students.
The situation becomes more concerning when viewed against the backdrop of numerous holidays, gazetted offs and the approaching harsh winter in Kashmir, which could further reduce the number of effective teaching days.
Parents fear that students may ultimately be forced to complete their syllabus in a shortened academic period, putting additional pressure on children and teachers and potentially affecting learning outcomes.
Several questions now need answers:
Will private schools arrange additional classes to compensate for missed teaching days ?
Will schools consider adjustments in fees or transportation charges for periods when regular services remain suspended ?
Who will take responsibility for ensuring that students complete their syllabus without unnecessary academic pressure ?
Will the concerned education authorities intervene and issue clear guidelines to protect students’ academic interests ?
The fundamental question is simple: If schools are compensated for providing facilities for examinations, why should students and parents bear the entire cost of disrupted schooling ?
Education should not become a one-sided financial commitment where parents continue paying thousands of rupees while children lose valuable classroom teaching time.
The concerned education authorities and private school managements must address these concerns and come forward with a transparent plan to compensate students academically and ensure fairness to parents financially.
Because examinations are important, but so is the education of children whose classrooms are being used to conduct them.