Srinagar, Oct 1: Without issuing any directive in writing, the Government Friday telephonically asked the school authorities across the Valley to close down the institutions.
Most of the educational institutions remained closed while others closed after lunch when they got a telephone call from the Chief Education Officer (CEO) of the respective districts.
Sources said the Government, instead of issuing any written orders, telephonically informed all CEOs to close the schools with the directions to pass on the ‘order’ telephonically to principals, headmasters and teachers. It is pertinent here that Hurriyat Conference (G) had today called for normal schooling on Friday.
The students had to return disappointed in the morning from the schools.
A student of Iqbal Memorial Institute Bemina told Greater Kashmir: “Keeping in view the situation in Valley I left for school early in the morning. However, after reaching school teachers told me that school has been closed for the day.”
 In rural areas though most of the schools were closed but several of them remained open for whole day as they didn’t receive any intimation from the authorities.
 A headmaster posted in an old city school here said, “We received a telephonic intimation from the Chief Education Officer Srinagar in the morning asking not to attend the schools.” However, it was difficult for us to reach every student, he said.
 In several localities of downtown, school children came out of homes early in the morning but had to return as curfew was in place.
 Police and CRPF blocked roads and sealed them with razor wires and barricades at several points and imposed strict curfew. In several localities, vehicles fitted with loud speakers made announcements of curfew and even asked school children to return.
 Talking to Greater Kashmir, Director School Education, Shagufta Parveen, said, “I never informed anyone to close the school. You ask Chief Education Officers. Why are you asking me?”
 Who issued the orders then, only God knows?

Lastupdate on : Fri, 1 Oct 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 1 Oct 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 2 Oct 2010 00:00:00 IST