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Kashmir schools to be ‘polythene-free’ zones
Shah Faesal, the director of School Education, Kashmir has in 2 separate orders declared schools as ‘polythene-free’ zones and banned the sale of tobacco products within 100 yards of schools.
Very soon all schools in the Kashmir Valley will be 'polythene- free' zones along with a ban on sale of tobacco products within 100 yards of schools.
"All schools (government and private) in Kashmir Division are hereby declared as polythene-free zones. It shall be the duty of supervisory teachers to ensure that polythene bags are not allowed into school premises henceforth," Director, School Education, Kashmir, Shah Faesal said in an order issued on Friday.
In a separate order, the Director asked all CEOs to ensure a ban on sale of tobacco products to minors near every educational institution. "All CEOs are directed to ensure the ban on sale of tobacco products to minors in all the educational institutions within 100 yards of their schools," the order said.
Knowing fully well that many well intentioned initiatives never make it because of lack of policing, Faesal also directed the CEOs to furnish monthly reports as a part of a regular monitoring and reporting mechanism.
"The CEOs will furnish monthly report to Directorate of School Education, Kashmir, for follow-up with a copy to the respective Deputy Commissioners as well," the Director said.
While the ban on tobacco is a welcome move to deter youngsters having easy access to the substance, declaring schools as ‘polythene-free’ may be an initiative which may deter the future generation from abusing plastic. It can be rightly viewed as a step to sensitise the youngsters towards the dangers of plastic.