Govt extends closure of educational institutions across J&K

Srinagar, Sep 3: Amid flood threats due to the rise in the water level of Jhelum and other flood channels, the closure of all the educational institutions was extended across Jammu and Kashmir.

Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Anshul Garg, in an order, said that in view of the inclement weather, all the educational institutions, including schools, colleges, universities, and coaching centres, would remain closed on September 4, 2025, across the Kashmir division.

The decision has been taken as a precautionary measure for the safety of students and the staff of these educational institutions.

Following the closure of the educational institutions, the University of Kashmir (KU) and the Cluster University Srinagar (CUS) also announced the postponement of all their examinations scheduled for September 4, 2025.

Also, the Director of School Education, Jammu, extended the closure of schools till September 5, 2025.

“The decision has been taken in view of the weather alert issued by the IMD and also keeping in view the incessant rains, landslides, flash floods, and severe water logging in low-lying areas of Jammu division,” the DSEJ order reads.

“The online classes shall be conducted wherever possible to maintain continuity of education,” it reads.

Notably, the educational institutions across J&K remained closed on Wednesday in view of the flood threat due to the rising water level in the Jhelum and other water bodies.

Besides the closure of the educational institutions and postponement of exams, the School Education Department (SED) is facing another challenge as some school buildings in the Jammu division and the south Kashmir districts have been submerged in overflowing rivers and other flood channels.

In the wake of this, the Minister for Education, Sakina Itoo, on Wednesday, while assessing the situation in south Kashmir districts, issued instructions to the Deputy Commissioners (DC) to submit a report of the buildings submerged in water.

“I have issued instructions to the DCs and Chief Education Officers (CEOs) to submit a report of the buildings which remained submerged in water and may have been damaged as well,” Itoo told Greater Kashmir.

She said that after going through the report, the department would take further steps accordingly.

“If the level of damage is severe, then the department will make the school functional from alternate accommodations till a permanent solution is made,” she said.

Earlier, the Director of School Education Jammu, said that all the school buildings that remained submerged in water in Jammu and other areas of the division would remain closed till certified safe by the competent authorities.

In an official communication issued to all the CEOs, the DSEJ flagged concern over the safety of the staff and school children in the wake of the heavy rains and floods that severely impacted various parts of the Jammu region.

“It has come to our attention that several school buildings have sustained structural damage, rendering them unsafe for occupancy. The safety of our students, teachers, and staff  must remain the  highest priority,” the communication reads. “It is essential that no school building be reopened without a thorough structural assessment by competent authorities.”

The DSEJ, in its official communication, has said that the buildings that had submerged or had shown signs of damage must remain closed until they are certified as safe.

The CEOs of the Jammu division have been asked to coordinate with local administration, village leaders, and community based organisations to facilitate temporary arrangements and to ensure that basic amenities like drinking water, sanitation, and seating are available in these alternative spaces.

“In areas where school buildings have been declared unsafe or are undergoing repairs, you are directed to explore community-based alternatives to ensure that education is not disrupted,” the communication reads.

DSEJ has asked the CEOs to utilise available infrastructures like community halls, Panchayat Ghars, religious places like Masjids, temples, gurudwaras, and churches on a voluntary basis.

“It must also be ensured that all school principals, teachers, and staff are duly informed of these directives and are vigilant in adhering to the safety protocols to protect students,” the communication reads.

The DSEJ has further instructed the CEOs to ensure that heads of the schools inspect buildings before the start of physical classes and shall start classes only after being satisfied about the safety of the schools and readiness of the school for the start of physical classes.