Why Jammu & Kashmir govt has banned school, college picnics

The Jammu and Kashmir government has imposed a complete ban on school and college picnics during weekends and holidays following a tragic accident on April 12 in Kupwara, in which two students from Government Degree College, Sogam, lost their lives and several others were injured when their bus overturned en route to a picnic spot.

 

An inquiry has been ordered into the incident, along with a review of all drivers operating vehicles for educational institutions across the Union Territory.

 

Education Minister Sakina Itoo, who also holds the health and medical education portfolio, chaired a high-level meeting to review traffic regulations concerning student safety. She has directed the installation of CCTV cameras and fire safety equipment in all school and college buses, including those operated by private institutions.

 

During the meeting, Itoo expressed concern over the rising number of road accidents and instructed the police to launch strict drives against drink-driving, overspeeding, and unlicensed driving. She also reiterated the importance of enforcing the ‘no helmet, no fuel’ rule to improve road safety for students.

 

With the onset of spring, which marks the end of winter and the beginning of the tourist season in Kashmir, schools and colleges traditionally organise picnics for students. Tourist footfall has significantly increased since late March, and over six lakh tourists have already visited Asia’s largest tulip garden, located on the banks of Dal Lake in Srinagar, since its opening on March 26.

 

To regulate student outings, the government has introduced a strict approval system. Higher secondary schools and high schools must obtain permission from the Chief Education Officer (CEO). Middle schools and below must seek permission from the Zonal Education Officer (ZEO), who will inform the CEO accordingly. Schools planning out-of-district trips must get clearance from the Director of School Education. For colleges, the Director of Colleges will develop a formal mechanism for granting picnic permissions after evaluating all necessary safety measures.

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