Srinagar|Nov.15: Chairman Jammu & Kashmir Peoples Democratic Front( JKPDF )and former Minister Hakeem Muhammad Yaseen has urged the government to give first priority to protection of the health of school going children during the harsh winters adding that it was not possible to arrange adequate heating arrangements in about 11,ooo school buildings . He said most of the scool buildings in kashmir were with broken rooftops , doors and windows where use of even wooden bukharis would be of no benefit.
In a statement issued on Tuesday Hakeem said that while education to students was imperative but that should in no way be at the cost of the health of students . ً In Kashmir division almost 60 percent schools were functioning in dilapidated buildings where no kind of heating arrangement could be workable ,ً Hakeem observed while urging the government to give first priority to the protection of the health of school children when proposed dates for ensuing winter vacations are decided . He said ,we in Kashmir as also in winter zone areas in Jammu division ,have no well build schools and most of the schools in kandi and hilly areas have no road connectivity also . Moreover ,we should also consider situation in those hilly and kandi areas where children are being taught under naked sky . He said it was a matter of concern that despite availability of central grants and nationwide campaign ,most of our schools in Jammu and Kashmir were still without tap water and latrine blocks . PDF Chairman said that government should take realistic measures to streamline all facilities in schools including construction of good school buildings , construction of approach roads up to schools for convenience of both students and teachers.