Heartfelt moments unfolded at BHS Lawaypora on Tuesday as Headmaster Shabnam Kounser spent her final day at the institution before assuming charge as Zonal Education Officer (ZEO) Nihalpora, Pattan. Students, teachers, and staff gathered to bid farewell to an educator whose tenure transformed the school’s image and strengthened faith in government schooling within the community.
For many at the school, Kounser’s departure marked the end of a defining chapter. Several students were seen in tears during the farewell, while colleagues say her legacy at the school will continue to inspire both educators and the wider community.
What distinguished Kounser’s tenure was not merely administrative discipline, but her ability to translate government education initiatives into meaningful change on the ground. When the Government introduced Balvatika (kindergarten) classes in government schools, she led an extensive door-to-door enrolment campaign across the locality, ensuring reaching out to parents and encouraging them to place their children in the newly established Balvatika.
Under her leadership, BHS Lawaypora witnessed a steady rise in enrolment, with several students shifting from private schools to the institution. The school also recorded a significant decline in female dropout rates.
Kounser also institutionalised regular parent-teacher meetings, encouraging closer coordination between educators and families.
By the end of her tenure, BHS Lawaypora had emerged as an example of how community outreach, administrative commitment, and trust-building can reshape perceptions around public education.
