Srinagar: With rising tensions along the India-Pakistan border leading to the shutdown of educational institutions in Kashmir, many schools have transitioned to online classes to ensure students do not miss out on their studies.

Since May 7, schools have remained closed following India's missile strikes targeting terror camps in Pakistan. In response, several prominent private schools across the Valley began conducting online sessions on Friday to maintain academic continuity.

"My kids have started to receive online education from today as it is not safe to venture out of homes, especially after what happened along the borders over the past three days," Saba Bhat, a mother of two, told PTI.

Her sons study at a well-known private school in Pampore, Pulwama district. While she acknowledges that classroom learning is ideal, she feels virtual education is the most feasible solution at present.

"Attending the school in person helps in overall personality development of the children but safety is of paramount importance. At least, this way the kids' academic progress will continue," she added.

Samina Ashraf expressed appreciation for the school her daughter and son attend, commending its swift transition to online classes.

"Online education was a novel concept when it was introduced on a large scale during the Covid pandemic five years ago. However, this has come as a major boon for the students. They do not lose any time academically," she said.

Samina, who lost an entire academic year during the surge of militancy in Jammu and Kashmir in 1990, said advancements in technology have prevented the current generation from facing a similar setback.

"Although the current academic arrangement has been forced due to the situation, online classes have become an integral part of the education system the world over," she said.

Mushtaq Ahmad, a teacher in a government school, said a similar arrangement should be made for the public-run schools as well.

"The private schools have taken the lead here .... we will be doing the catching up if this situation continues longer. It is better that students of government schools also switch to online mode till it is safe to attend schools in person again," Ahmad said.

The government has closed schools, colleges and universities as a precautionary measure in view of the situation along the borders.

PTI