At present online classes are the best available option for students. Unfortunately, the recent J&K government order directing schools to reduce screen time of online classes has put a dampener on the otherwise regulated academic session.

Srinagar, June 3: The world has been battling the pandemic for the last more than a year and it has affected all aspects of life. The education sector has been one of the worst affected. World-over the schools and universities shifted to online classes to compensate for the losses. Jammu and Kashmir also followed the suit and switched over to online classes so that our students aren’t left behind.

Online classes in no way can compensate for the brick and mortar classrooms, but these
are extraordinary times that need extraordinary measures. At present online classes are the best available option for students. Unfortunately, the recent J&K government order directing schools to reduce screen time of online classes has put a dampener on the otherwise regulated academic session.

We too are against online classes but in the given situation what is the
alternative? The government decision is bereft of any logic and will only harm the educational interest of students. In the name of helping students, the order will surely destroy careers and deprive students of quality education.

Schools decide academic issues and processes in line with the opinion of national and international experts. It is not based on the whims of a single person. There is full evidence-based logic behind every policy. On the contrary, the government decision is an ill thought out experiment. What is the logic behind changing the education policy in the middle of an academic session?

Private Schools comprise a major stakeholder and it is imperative for government to take on board every stakeholder before announcing any policy change. Our question is that why we were not taken on board and instead govt lied on this front. On what basis and research did they announce a reduction of screen time.

It is not that students are exposed to screen only during online classes. Most of the students go for private tuition and coaching classes. Here they are subjected to more screen time. Will the government put curbs on that too?

Every minute of screen time is aimed to provide quality education and prepare the students for the future. Restrictions without any scientific reason will surely harm the academics.

At this point, the government order has played havoc with the academic session. Schools don’t know what to do and how to complete the syllabus of students in time. Keeping half an hour for classes is a joke.

We at the Chamber are discussing the situation with experts and other stakeholders. We will be taking parents on board before reducing screen time. We are seeking opinion polls and feedback from parents.

It is not that there are students only in Kashmir and the government is too concerned for them. There are students in other states and other countries too. Did those places also drastically cut the screen time. Children are the same everywhere, if the government is so much concerned about Kashmiri children then they should also advocate for implementing the same policy in the entire country.

We at the Chamber feel that a single wrong move at this juncture will derail the education sector that is already hanging by a threat. In 1951 Kashmir was at the top of the education sector on various parameters across the country and today we are at the tail end. All this happened due to wrong policies implemented by successive regimes without consulting experts or the stakeholders.

We appeal to the government to stop framing such policies and work towards the betterment of the education sector in coordination with all stakeholders.