New code of conduct for Valley schools

SRINAGAR: The J&K government has prescribed a new code of conduct for local schools to avoid "waywardness" that could harm the social fabric in the state. Many are seeing this as a fallout to the recent scandal.

According to the new order issued by the Directorate of Education, a ban has been imposed on carrying or using cell phones in schools. No trading activity shall be allowed in school premises. No person, other than teachers and students, shall be allowed entry into schools.

Even the media has been barred to enter school grounds unless granted proper permission by authorities. Picnic and excursion rules have been made tough and schools wishing to take students on an outing need to seek prior permission from zonal education officers. The area in and around schools have been declared no smoking zones.

This follows the unearthing of the sex scandal in which a 15-year-old student was sexually abused after being filmed naked. She was also forced into prostitution.

"The dos and don'ts are part of our efforts to enforce discipline in schools in tune with the social and cultural milieu of Kashmir. We are not restricting these norms to students only. Even teachers have been brought under this ambit. They have also been barred from using mobile phones in schools," said Mohammad Rafi, director of education department, Kashmir.