Winter vacation for schools to begin in phased manner from Dec 10

Srinagar, Dec 6: The School Education Department (SED) Friday announced winter vacation for all government and recognised private educational institutions in a phased manner in Kashmir division and winter zones of Jammu from December 10 of 2024.

The order in this regard was issued by Principal Secretary SED Suresh Kumar Gupta.

As per an order, the vacations would begin from December 10 for classes up to 5th standard while the classes from 6th to 12th would observe vacations from December 16 of 2024.

“Classes up to 5th will observe vacation from December 10, 2024, to February 28, 2025, while classes 6th to 12th will observe winter vacations from December 16, 2024, to February 28, 2025,” reads an order of the SED.

As per the order, the teaching staff of the government high and higher secondary schools has been asked remain available at respective headquarters from February 10 of 2025 onwards for preparatory arrangements for the ensuing Board Examination of class 10th to 12th.,

"All the teachers will remain available as required for any online guidance of students during the vacation period," the order reads.

The schools have been warned that any default on the part of the head of the schools and teaching staff in observance of the vacation schedule will attract strict action under the rules.

The winter vacation was announced two days after the Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) submitted a proposal to SED for announcement of winter vacations in a phased manner from the second week of December for Kashmir schools.

The DSEK proposal suggested that the winter vacation for classes up to 2nd primary should be announced from December 9 while the vacation for classes from 3rd primary to class 12th should be announced from December 16 of 2024.

However, the stakeholders urged the Government to consider announcing winter vacation for all the primary classes on the same day.

"Segregating primary classes in two groups does not serve any purpose. How can the government announce the winter vacation for a 2nd primary kid and ask the 3rd primary students to attend the school in the prevailing cold weather conditions," the parents had complained to Greater Kashmir.