Jammu and Kashmir: School for specially abled asks teachers to avoid Hijab so that students interact freely

The Dagger Parivaar School in north Kashmir's Baramulla district which caters specifically to physically challenged children is run by Indian Army in collaboration with a Pune based NGO. 

In a circular issued on Monday, the school Principal instructed the staff to avoid Hijab so that students can feel "comfortable." 

The circular has been issued by the orders of joint management committee, Dagger Parivaar School Baramulla. 

“Parivaar school is a place to learn and grow emotionally. As the staff of school, the main purpose is to provide the fullest possible development of each learner. For the same, the trust must be established with the students to make them feel welcome, safe and happy. The staff is hereby instructed to avoid Hijab during school hours. So that students can feel comfortable and are forthcoming to interact with teachers and staff,” the circular said. 

A defence official in Srinagar said there was nothing wrong in the circular. 

"This school is for specially abled children, who always require significant physical interaction. There should be no controversy over it as specially abled children need special care," he said. 

The school has a capacity to teach 150 children with disabilities and presently around 70 are on the roll. 

The Parivaar School is being run by the Army since October 2017.