The Private Schools Association of Jammu and Kashmir (PSAJK) has appealed to the government to promptly declare winter vacations for schools, particularly for lower classes, citing challenging conditions marked by sub-zero temperatures and dense fog.
The Association highlighted concerns raised by parents and schools regarding the adverse weather conditions. A PSAJK spokesperson emphasized the difficulty faced by young children in preparing for school early in the morning, given the absence of centralized heating in homes, buses, and schools. “Adjusting to the weather becomes crucial in our context, unlike in developed nations,” stated the spokesperson.
“Parents, too, find it challenging to ready their children for school during these conditions.”
Expressing health concerns, the Association pointed out that exposure to extreme fog and low temperatures could negatively impact children’s well-being.
Additionally, the foggy conditions make it challenging for students to concentrate during classes, rendering the educational efforts ineffective.
“To prioritize the health of our children, we urge the government to announce winter vacations at the earliest,” the spokesperson urged.
PSAJK reiterated its plea for adapting the academic calendar to local temperatures, asserting that the current March session is impractical for Kashmir.
“Our schools typically complete their syllabus by November, and harsh winters render the March session unproductive, with students uncertain about revising old lessons or tackling new class material,” explained the spokesperson
The Association emphasized the need for aligning Kashmir’s academic calendar with local weather conditions, proposing a return to the previous calendar.
“The March session has posed numerous challenges that require addressing before further damage occurs. Adopting the October session, as common in regions with severe winters, is a reasonable solution,” he added.
