Team News Riveting
Srinagar, September 13
In a big leap forward in restoring normalcy in the trouble-torn Kashmir valley, the Arya Samaj has reopened one of its oldest educational institutions in Downtown Srinagar after 35 years.
The DAV Public School, situated at Maharaj Gunj area of old City, has resumed operations. Leading newspaper Greater Kashmir quoted the school’s Principal, Samina Javed, as saying that the institution has been reopened at the same location, within the same building and under the same management. She is also the manager of the institution.
Following insurgency in peak, the Arya Samaj School was closed in early 90’s and the building was occupied by a local entity for running another school. “The Arya Samaj management initiated the efforts to reopen it last year and the first session commenced in April this year,” an official with the education department said.
Reestablishing the school in the same location and building was a daunting task. “It required a considerable amount of effort as we had to renovate the building, give it a proper facelift, and initiate classes,” the Principal said. “All schools across India affiliated with Arya Samaj are known as Dayanand Arya Vidyalaya (DAV) or DAVP,” she noted.
Samina said that the school commenced its maiden academic session in April this year, with an initial enrollment of 35 students up to Class 7. “There were manifold initial challenges in reopening the school, but we are now witnessing positive changes with each passing day. Parents and the community, in general, have been cooperative,” she added.
Since the start of the session, students from the school have actively participated in various events such as Environment Day, Yoga Day, Teachers’ Day, and other extracurricular activities. “Our focus extends beyond the syllabus; we aim to groom these students in other fields as well. I personally take six classes a day,” the principal added.
The school is affiliated with the J&K Board of School Education and falls under jurisdiction of Zonal Education Officer (ZEO) Rainawari.
