Mushtaq Ahmad, Chief Education Officer Shopian, said that the order was from “higher-ups”.

SRINAGAR — The Chief Education Officer Shopian Tuesday ordered all the schools of the south Kashmir district to ensure flag-hoisting on January 26, the 73rd Indian Republic Day.

Shopian district has a total of  657 schools among which 14 are higher secondary’s, 85 high schools, 215 middle schools, and 343 primary schools. 508 are government schools and 149 private schools.

The order issued by the CEO reads: “…it is hereby ordered that the flag-hoisting on 26th January 2022 (Republic Day) is mandatory to take place. It is impressed upon all the HOIs (heads of Institutions) to celebrate the republic day along with all the staff members (teaching /non-teaching) in the school premises. The staff of adjourning schools (MS/PS) will join the celebration at nearest HSS/HS.”

Mushtaq Ahmad, Chief Education Officer Shopian, said that the order was from “higher-ups”. “it’s not my own,” he said.

Meanwhile, the order further states that Heads of the institutions will be responsible for adopting and implementing Covid-19 SOPs as specified by the administration.

Pertinent to mention, the same order was issued by the Chief Education Officer of north Kashmir’s Bandipora district on Monday, January 24.

Kashmir administration has already closed all the activities in coaching centres and other institutions amid the Covid-19 surge and has put a 64-hours weekend lockdown in place.

The HOIs have been asked to maintain the attendance of staff including the attendance of staff of adjourning schools who will join the “celebration of Republic Day”.

The order further states that video clips at least of 15 seconds or pictures in landscape form be uploaded on the official WhatsApp group or shared via email.