RINAGAR, SEP 15: The heads of both private and public schools in the Valley have received a harsh warning from the School Education Department (SED) J&K, ordering them to stop having kids wait in lines for visitors and visiting officers.
The Director of School Education for Kashmir (DSEK) has given directives to all school heads ordering them to stop making children wait in line for hours during official visits and to end other lavish practices that have been practised for years.
The DSEK’s order lists various problems with the practices already in use while underlining their detrimental consequences on pupils.
According to the circular, making students stand for lengthy amounts of time interferes with their important study time, hampers productivity, and has a bad effect on their self-esteem.
“Furthermore, the mental and emotional health of students is at stake, as they endure the stress of these arduous rituals,” it reads.
The DSEK has stated that it has been a common practice to present visiting officers or guests with artificial floral bouquets or garlands made from non-biodegradable materials, contributing to environmental pollution during disposal. This is one of the concerns addressed in the warning.
The circular emphasises the need for more environmentally friendly and sustainable practises, while also calling attention to the high costs associated with the cuisine and hospitality provided during school occasions.
These extravagant arrangements not only fail to align with the school’s educational mission but also create an environment of discrimination among students. Those not offered such eatables during events feel excluded,” the DSEK circular reads.
The warning also emphasises how ineffective and time-consuming it is to greet new police with mass-produced fake garlands. The department promotes the use of easier, more effective techniques that respect both students’ and visitors’ time and dignity.
The DSEK has recommended that schools implement more effective, considerate, and creative guest-welcoming strategies that put the welfare and education of the kids first. “Instead of non-biodegradable floral arrangements, use simple, natural flowers. Similarly, catering should be modest, offering guests and students a simple cup of tea and snacks,” it reads.
