Open air classes and community schools fill the void in Kashmir

Khalid Rashid (28) in Katainwali (Baramulla) is one of the several teachers who have volunteered to hold open-air classes in the community. “Educational institutions have remained closed for months post-August 5, 2019 in Kashmir. Then there was the winter vacation and now the COVID-19 lockdown,” he offers by way of explanation.

Online classes were proving to be difficult. Though the teachers would send assignments but students were experiencing difficulties due to low internet speed. At the community school, they give students home assignments and also take spot tests. Parvez Ahmad Famda (39), another volunteer, says, “Every day we take classes at four different locations in the village in the first half of the day and at four other locations in the second half. We don’t want to gather all students in one place. Instead we take classes at four locations with two teachers at each place.”

These open-air community schooling will continue till COVD-19 lockdown is lifted and schools reopen.

In 2020, students witnessed only eight days of class work in schools so far. Since March, when the new academic session started and students after experiencing a few days of class work in schools, witnessed closure of all educational institutions due to the outbreak of pandemic. Mohammad Hussain Dar is another young volunteer in a village in Anantnag.

“I teach students up to class IX in shifts. Class V students come in one shift and others follow; most of the students are very small. We want them to maintain proper distance and wash hands with sanitisers,” he said. The biggest challenge was to convince parents to send their children to the community school, he recalled.

But now parents are all in favour of community schooling.

Abdul Rashid recalls that his 14-yearold son had become a TV addict and remained glued to the TV screen the whole day. “He had lost interest in everything. But for the last few weeks, since the community school was started here, my son has regained interest in studies. He remains busy in completing his assignments and also takes part in sports activities,” he said.

The government has also started rooting for these community schools.

“In view of the lockdown in Jammu and Kashmir, all local teachers, masters and lecturers may volunteer for community schooling within their locality, mohalla, village with parental support while strictly adhering to all SOPs related to social distancing and preventive measures,” says Principal Secretary Education Department Dr Asgar Samoon.