DSEK proposes phased winter vacation from Dec 9 for Kashmir schools

Srinagar, Dec 3: The Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) on Tuesday proposed phasing in winter vacations for Kashmir schools starting in the second week of December.

The proposal has been submitted due to the prevailing weather conditions, particularly the cold wave and dense fog in Kashmir.

As per the proposal submitted by the DSEK to the Administrative Department, the winter vacation for classes up to 2nd primary has been proposed from December 9, 2024, to February 24, 2025.

Also, the vacation for classes from 3rd primary to class 12th has been proposed from December 16, 2024, to February 24, 2025.

“The situation has necessitated the declaration of the winter vacation. Hence the proposal is submitted for your kind perusal and further necessary action and orders,” reads a proposal submitted to the Principal Secretary School Education Department.

As the proposal has been submitted to the Administrative Department for approval, the stakeholders have urged the government to consider announcing winter vacation for all the primary classes on the same day.

“Segregating primary classes into two groups does not serve any purpose. How can we announce winter vacation for a 2nd primary kid and ask the 3rd primary students to attend the school in the prevailing cold weather conditions,” said Muhammad Faizan, a parent from Kupwara. Other parents also raised queries over the DSEK proposal wherein the vacation for primary class students has been proposed on two different dates.

“We all are aware of the availability of the infrastructure in schools, particularly those run by the government. The vacation for primary classes should be announced on the same date,” another parent said.

Earlier, the Director of School Education Kashmir Tasaduq Hussain Mir said that the winter vacation would be announced after the commencement of new classification following the culmination of the Term-II summative assessment of students up to class 9th.

But the parents on Tuesday voiced concern over the proposal wherein the vacation up to class 2nd primary has been proposed from December 9 and from 3rd class onward from December 16, 2024.

“We hope the government will go through the proposal and make necessary changes in it so that the winter vacation for students of all the primary classes is announced on the same date,” the parents said.

A top official said that the proposal was yet to be discussed in the Administrative Department.

“The decision will be taken in the interest of the students,” the official said.