Mir Gowhar
Hajin, Jan 01: Scores of students on Thursday staged a protest in Hajin against the closure of a winter tuition centre operating at MD Memorial School.
The students, enrolled in winter tuition classes at the school, briefly blocked the Hajin–Srinagar road to press for the resumption of coaching, alleging that the centre was shut following directions from the Zonal Education Office (ZEO) citing government orders.
Speaking to Kashmir Convenor, Mehvish Jan said the students were not seeking any special favours. “We are only asking for the right to study. Private coaching centres charge around ₹2,000 a month, which our parents cannot afford. This was the only place where we could continue our studies without becoming a burden on our families,” she said.
Another Class X student said the closure had left students from economically weaker sections anxious and uncertain. “If education is being provided free of cost, why should it be stopped?” she asked. “Shutting down our classes feels like shutting the doors of learning on us.”
A government teacher, wishing not to be named, alleged that the protest was motivated and aimed at attracting future enrolments. “Such activities are often carried out to create interest among students rather than purely for academic reasons,” the teacher claimed.
Officials said the action was taken in accordance with existing government norms regulating tuition and coaching centres.
Later, the protesters dispersed peacefully after SHO Hajin reached the spot and assured them that their genuine demands would be taken up with the concerned authorities.
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