Divisional administration orders 2-day break for primary students

Srinagar, July 28: The divisional administration Kashmir Sunday ordered a two-day suspension of class work for students in all government and private schools up to primary classes.

As per the order issued by the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri the class work will remain suspended on July 29 and 30.

"Given the persistent heatwave prevailing in Kashmir, class work for the students up to primary level in both government and recognised private schools will remain suspended on July 29 and 30,” the order reads.

As per the order, all the teaching and non-teaching staff would continue to attend their duties as usual.

Notably, the suspension of class work in schools up to the primary level has been ordered after persistent demands from the parents citing that the students were not able to bear the heatwave.

Earlier, the Directorates of School Education Kashmir and Jammu divisions ordered a change in school timings and the new timing was fixed from 8 am to 1 pm for schools up to higher secondary level.

However, the demand for the summer vacation for schools did not die down.

In response to the persistent demand of the parents for another vacation, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir earlier said that there was no scope for the announcement of summer vacations again for the schools in Kashmir.

However, he said that if the parents felt that the heat wave was becoming unbearable and their child could not cope with it, there would be no issue with the child's attendance during this period.

“We have to consider many factors like ensuring the entire syllabus is completed. We have already changed the school timings and fixed it from 8 am to 1 pm. The decision was taken considering the rising temperature,” he had said.

Also, the Principal Secretary School Education Department (SED) Alok Kumar on Saturday said that if the department continues to close schools every time it gets hot, they might not be able to run the school system effectively.

“We cannot close schools indefinitely. Schools need to operate during the available time. It does not make sense to close schools just because it is hot or cold,” he said.