As all of us know, the whole world is fighting against the dreadful disease called novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) which claimed millions of lives till date and shattered the world economy too. The adverse effects of COVID-19 are directly proportional to the livelihood of the people all over the globe.
For new wave of COVID-19, the Jammu and Kashmir Government responded with the closure of schools and imposition of night curfew which enraged the parents along with students and landed into trouble hundred thousand teachers working in private institutions who are weighing these measures as totally callous.
The government cited the reason that kids are more prone to infection, but how come tourists and Yatris would be immune to the same infection?
Earlier, the government had announced that higher educational institutions would function normally. Now, after spike in COVID-19 cases, these institutions have also been shut. But one thing surprises me, why are tourist places still open? Does the government care about the revenue of hoteliers, more than the education of children? Or, is it a weaved plan to mar the future of budding youth?
Educational system here is already derailed from the last couple of years on account of various reasons. Although, I agree that health is wealth but we should take care of education of the nation too.
Private teaching is certainly a means of livelihood to thousands of educated youth but the prevailing circumstances have also put them in a fix. They are treated by the school owners as their slaves, even most of them want the poor lot to work free for them and not talk of salaries.
Is this treatment fair when the teacher fraternity’s survival is at stake? Why doesn’t the government come up with a comprehensive strategy, so the trio of school owners, teachers and students also find a way to navigate through the difficult times?
It’s important to mention here that most parents are reluctant to pay the fee of their wards because schools are not running smoothly, but what is the fault of teachers in the emerging situation? Isn’t it wrong to blame the teacher community? Surely, it gives rise to conditions like survival of the fittest and many teachers get caught into health problems, like depression.
I have thousands of questions to put forth but the foremost question this time is: How would the unemployed employees (private school teachers) survive, if this closure remains for longer period of time?
Disclaimer: An opinion piece is an article that reflects the author’s opinion about the subject. The Kashmir Pulse does not endorse the views and opinions expressed in these articles as these do not necessarily reflect our official policy or position on the issues discussed.
