Islamia High School

Islamia High School is situated in the Pata Kadam area of Srinagar. This is an old part of the city with narrow streets and a lot of history in every corner. The weather here can get very cold, so we spend most of the winter months making sure the heaters are working right. The school building itself has seen many generations of local families pass through its doors. The wooden floors have a tendency to creak loudly when you walk down the halls. We have quite a few stairs and small corridors that can be a bit confusing for someone visiting for the first time. Most of the people working here grew up right here in Srinagar. We know the parents and even the grandparents of many children who study with us. It feels like a small community here rather than just a place of work. We have a little library with some old books that the students still enjoy reading. The view from the top windows shows the old rooftops and the mountains far in the distance. When the heavy snow comes, the courtyard gets covered and we have to clear a path to the front door ourselves. It is a busy place once the bells ring. We try to keep things as orderly as we can, but with so many kids around, it’s always a little chaotic. We just do the work one day at a time.