SRINAGAR – The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Tuesday extended the suspension of class work in all educational institutions — including schools, colleges and universities — till June 30 in the Union Territory.
“All Schools, Colleges, Universities, Technical Education / Skill Development Institutes and Coaching Centers shall remain closed for in-person / on campus teaching till June 30,” an order issued by the State Executive Committee read.
It said that the decision was made based on the current assessment of the COVID situation in Jammu and Kashmir. “The teaching staff shall also be required to conduct online classes from their homes only,” it said.
The order further said that the Universities and Colleges shall be permitted to seek in person attendance of minimal staff, only for research / lab work.
However, it said that such staff of educational institutions as are needed by the concerned District Disaster Management Authorities for official duties shall not be exempted from duties.
The administration in April ordered the closure of all universities, colleges, schools, and coaching centres in the Union Territory till May 15 though teaching and non-teaching staff were asked to attend schools and colleges. But, the J&K administration later allowed teaching and non-teaching staff to stay home in view of a surge in COVID-19 cases in Jammu and Kashmir. The closure of the educational institutes was extended till May 30 which was again extended till June 15.
Teachers, however, are conducting online classes from home in the valley though many students alleged that they were unable to attend these classes due to the non-availability of smartphones. The decision to allow teachers to take online classes from their respective homes was taken after many teaching and non-teaching staff members of government schools tested positive for the virus in the Union Territory.
