Operation Sindoor, flood-like situation affected syllabus completion: Education Minister

Srinagar, Sept 14: The minister for education Sakina Itoo on Sunday said that the routine academics in schools was badly hit during the current academic session in wake of the war like situation and recent floods in Jammu and Kashmir.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a function here, the education minister said that the government had to announce holidays and close the schools during the war like situation (Operation Sindoor) witnessed across Jammu and Kashmir earlier this year.

She said the recent flood like situation also disrupted the normal functioning of the schools which had an impact in the completion of the syllabus.

"We are aware of these factors and have taken feedback from students and parents as well. We will also seek feedback from other stakeholders (public) in this regard and take measures to address the situation in the interest of the students," the minister said.

She said that around 40 schools remained submerged in flood waters which caused damage to the buildings.

"Some schools are yet to be made functional. These incidents obviously created hurdles in timely completion of the syllabus," she said.

Indian Armed Forces on the night of May 7 and 8, 2025 executed Operation Sindoor following a deadly attack on the civilians in Pahalgam area of south Kashmir in April.

In wake of the attack, cross border firing and drone attacks were witnessed for several days forcing the government to close down the schools for more than two weeks.

The closure of schools in border areas disrupted the academics of students, throwing up a major challenge for the teachers to complete the syllabus in a time bound manner.

As the academic activities resumed in schools post war like situation, several parts of Jammu and Kashmir witnessed cloudbursts and landslides triggering flood like situation forcing the government to close down all the educational institutions across Jammu and Kashmir.

Besides the closure of educational institutions, all the university and JKBOSE exams were postponed as well.

Meanwhile, Director School Education Jammu (DSEJ), has written to Secretary JK Board of School Education (BOSE) and sought relaxation in syllabus for students in the upcoming annual exams.

In an official communication addressed to JKBOSE, DSEJ said that after obtaining suggestions and comments from all the Chief Education Officers of Jammu Division falling under the winter zone, it has been unanimously felt that the syllabus for the current academic session may be reduced by 15-20 percent.

"It is further suggested that instead of omitting specific topics from the syllabus which may create disparities, as different schools have covered different portions the relief may preferably be granted by providing open choice in examinations," the official communication reads.

"This approach would ensure uniformity and fairness across schools, help students in better comprehension and retention of the prescribed content and reduce academic stress and promote improved mental health and well-being among students," it reads.

DSEJ has urged the Secretary JKBOSE to "kindly" consider devising a suitable mechanism to provide necessary relief to students, either through reduction of syllabus by 15-20 percent or introduction of open choice in examinations, instead of deletion of specific topics.

"Any other academic concession deemed appropriate in the interest of students may be considered as well," the letter reads.