Schools in Kashmir Valley reopened yesterday after remaining closed for more than 3 months. Schools and colleges in rural areas recorded up to 80 per cent attendance, while it was comparatively low in Srinagar and some other urban areas. Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah appealed to the separatists to cooperate in saving precious academic year of the students. The Centre has expressed happiness over the re-opening of schools and colleges. Home Minister P. Chidambaram appealed all section of people particularly parents to cooperate with the state government to ensure that all educational institutions function normally. Mr. Chidambaram said, there were some minor incidents of stone pelting on school buses at three places and questioned how can any right thinking persons pelt stones on school buses. Mr. Chidambaram asserted anyone interested in the functioning of schools and colleges cannot indulge in stone pelting or extend any support to such mischievous attempts. The Home Minister expressed confidence that few schools and colleges that remained closed yesterday, will reopen today and attendance will further improve. He said government of Jammu and Kashmir will provide security to students to attend schools and colleges. In a related development, the Prime Minister Dr.Manmohan Singh has directed the expert group set up by him to ensure the employment opportunities generated in Jammu and Kashmir are sustainable. Meanwhile, following improvement in situation, curfew was lifted in several towns of North Kashmir including Baramulla, Handwara and Bandipora yesterday. In Srinagar, curfew was relaxed in the Civil Lines area for five hours. Relaxation has also been given in other curfew bound towns for few hours in phased manner. Meanwhile, Chief Information Commissioner Wajahat Habibullah has said that efforts should be made to ensure that children in Kashmir valley do not face any difficulty in attending classes. He said, all those who have the best interests of Kashmir at heart should insulate the children, at least those who wish to go to school. Mr Habibullah told a TV Channel that there are elements among the separatists who too want the children to go to schools.